MDK to buy Geoff Wragg's stables?

NEWMARKET (England) - South African trainer Mike De Kock on Thursday ruled out a permanent move to Britain but is still "in negotiations" to buy Geoff Wragg's Newmarket stables.



De Kock, in the Far East to saddle Eagle Mountain for Sunday's Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup, wants to buy a yard in Britain to use as a base for his best horses when he targets the world's top races.

He said: "There's nothing official yet. We're in negotiations. I still only want to have 15 or 20 top horses, but I'm not looking to make a permanent thing of it.

"We just need a base to travel internationally and there's no better place than Newmarket, facility-wise, and for the proximity for all around the world."

De Kock will mainly use South African jockey Kevin Shea to ride his Newmarket-based runners but will call on local talent if needed.

He added: "Kevin will probably come over. But I would be happy to use English boys - they're top riders and you're spoilt for choice."

Eagle Mountain's main opposition in the Cup is Hong Kong-based star Viva Pataca.

His trainer, John Moore, believes his runner is perfectly positioned but is expecting a big battle with Eagle Mountain.

Moore, who says that Viva Pataca is the best horse he has trained in a career that started in 1985, said: "Eagle Mountain is a top horse and is definitely the one to beat, but my horse is super fit.

"A lot of these races end up in tactical battles but I've got the best jockey in Darren Beadman and I believe, from gate six, Viva Pataca will be given the run of the race."

Jim Bolger, trainer of triple G1 winner Lush Lashes, revealed that he hopes to keep his Hong Kong Cup contender in training as a four-year-old next season.

He said: "If everything goes well here then she'll stay in training and I'll be aiming her at the Duty Free in Dubai. We're hoping she'll run up to her best form. If she does, then I'd expect she won't be too far away at the finish."

Lush Lashes drew at No 10 but is unconcerned about tactics. He added: "There isn't much point in having pre-conceived ideas about tactics as things can change so quickly. I'll leave the steering up to Kevin [Manning]."

Europe's other main hopes for the international raceday fared well in the draw with Luca Cumani "happy" with stall No 6 for Hong Kong Vase runner Purple Moon.

The 2007 Melbourne Cup second worked on turf at Sha Tin - where Australian Hong Kong Vase rival Douro Valley impressed - and Cumani said: "Purple Moon was finishing well in the Japan Cup and we'll be a bit closer to the pace this time."

The draw will play a big part in the Hong Kong Sprint and Moorhouse Lad's trainer Bryan Smart produced a big smile after pulling out stall No 1.

However, the big two in the 1200m contest also fared well with Aussie hope Apache Cat coming out of stall No 2 and French speedster Marchand D'Or in gate No 4. - Evening Standard.