Viscount Nelson boosts De Kock's Duty Free hopes

Mike de Kock's hopes of ending his long wait for a third success in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free will have been boosted by the promising victory of former Irish star Viscount Nelson in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort at Meydan racecourse on Thursday evening. The South African last won the $5 million (Dh18.3 million) contest in 2004, when Right Approach dead-heated with Paolini in 2004, but has drawn blank in subsequent attempts. However, Viscount Nelson's performance, where he showed plenty of character to beat Albaasil and stable companion Master Of Hounds in a tight finish, has sparked De Kock's big-race plans. The trainer has indicated that the Duty Free on March 31 will be the principal target for Viscount Nelson, following a possible prep in the 1,800-metre Jebel Hatta on Super Thursday, March 10. "He's not a straightforward horse to train, it's a massive effort from the team at home. A lot of work goes into this horse, hours are spent on him every day," said De Kock. "So it's a very good run for the team. "I definitely think that he's a Duty Free horse, but I've got a big ownership to discuss it with — we're probably going to shoot for one of the races on Super Saturday. "I'm not convinced that he stays the mile-and-a-half of the Sheema [Classic], so the Duty Free is probably where we're headed and I think he's earned his place in the race." Bonus prize The 2012 Dubai Duty Free is part of the Asian Mile Challenge that consists of four races in Dubai, Japan, Australia and Hong Kong. Any horse that wins two of the races will collect a $1 million bonus. De Kock confirmed that former Kentucky Derby runner Master Of Hounds will also be aimed at the Duty Free, prior to a start on Super Saturday. "That was a big effort from Master Of Hounds and my gut feeling is to keep him on grass now," said the all-conquering handler. Meanwhile, Frankie Dettori will have to wait another year in his bid to win a maiden Al Fahidi Fort after hotly-fancied Rio De La Plata could only finish sixth. But if Rio De La Plata failed to fire for Dettori and Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour, Delegator made an impressive seasonal debut for the fourth consecutive year when nailing the Range Rover Evoque Trophy. Pleasing show Bin Surour was pleased with the performance and said: "He is a horse we have always really liked and we know he goes well fresh. He did it well today and we will have to look for a race for him — probably over 1,600 metres. "The long term plan could be the Godolphin Mile, but we will still have to wait and see how he takes his races. He was second behind Sea The Stars in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in 2009 and I think that a mile is still the best trip for him," he added. Results Race 1. Range Rover Sport Trophy (TB Handicap) 1600M (All-Weather): 1. Sooraah (W Haggas) R Moore; 2. Scarf (S Bin Surour) S De Sousa; 3. Canwinn (D Selvaratnam) W Buick; 4. Yaa Wayl (S Bin Surour) M Barzalona. Distances: 1.5Length, 2.5L, 0.5L. (No time taken) Race 2. Jaguar XF Trophy (TB Handicap) 1900M (AW): 1. Zain Shamardal (A Al Raihe) R Ffrench; 2. Jardim (M de Kock) K Shea; 3. Start Right (S Bin Surour) K Fallon; 4. Royal Destination (F Nass) O Peslier. Dist: 1Length, 1.25L, Neck. Time: 1:58.16 secs. Race 3. Range Rover Evoque Trophy (TB Handicap) 1400M Turf: 1. Delegator (S Bin Surour) L Dettori; 2. Jaasoos (D Selvaratnam) K Fallon; 3. Rerouted (M de Kock) C Soumillon; 4. The Comedian (M Freedman) V Duric. Dist: 0.75Length, 1.75L, 1.25L. Time: 01:25:31 secs. Race 4. Jaguar XJ Trophy (TB Handicap) 1200M (AW): 1. Happy Dubai (A Al Raihe) S De Sousa; 2. Kanaf (M Al Muhairi) R Hills; 3. Green Beret (A Al Raihe) R Ffrench; 4. Casual Glimpse (M de Kock) C Soumillon. Dist: 1.5Length, 1.25L, Head. Time: 01:11:62 secs. Race 5: Al Fahidi Fort (Group 2) Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors (TB) 1600M (Turf): 1. Viscount Nelson (M de Kock) K Shea; 2. Albaasil (D Watson) R Hills; 3. Always Certain (M Freedman) V Duric; 4. Derbaas (A Al Raihe) T O'Shea. Dist: 0.5Length, 1L, 0.5L. Time: 01:38:13 secs. Race 6. Range Rover Trophy (TB Handicap) 2000M (Turf): 1. Zanzamar (M de Kock) R Hills; 2. Fallen Idol (S Bin Surour) W Buick; 3. Al Shemali (A Al Raihe) R Ffrench; 4. Shimraan (M Al Zarouni) L Dettori. Dist: 1.5Length, 0.75L, 1L. Time: 02:04:06 secs.