Mike de Kock has come to the defence of his sprinter, JJ The Jet Plane, after the gelding was criticised in the media and online for his performance in the showpiece Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The five-year-old son of Jet Master, a multiple winner in South Africa, generated unprecedented column inches after winning his preparation race in the build-up to the Royal meet.
Installed as the favourite, JJ The Jet Plane, whose name delighted the race-going public and who has his own fan group on social networking website, facebook, was beaten into fourth behind the surprise winner Art Connoisseur, American raider Cannonball and Lesson in Humility.
"It irks me that there are people in the South African media and on the internet who have described JJ The Jet Plane's run as 'disappointing'," said the handler in a newspaper column.
"He acquitted himself very well and I believe we will see fireworks from him over a bit more ground. For goodness sake, be patient - we will break the ice at Royal Ascot and elsewhere.
"Only those who have travelled to other racing jurisdictions will know how tough and competitive it is out there."
De Kock is making headway in the UK though as he proved with a Group Three victory for the Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa-owned Imbongi in the Criterion Stakes recently.
The five-year-old son of Russian Revival, gained ground after stumbling to take control of the race in which Godolphin's Huntdown was second and another Dubai regular, Balthazaar's Gift, trained in the UAE by Rod Simpson, was third.
Imbongi managed a duo of fourth-place finishes in Group Two races at Nad al Sheba last season, beaten by Godolphin's Royal Ascot flop, Gladiatorus and Herman Brown's now retired Jay Peg.
But the handler's attention is now on home soil as he prepares for Saturday's Durban July.
He may be racing for second place if the hype surrounding Pocket Power is to be believed, but de Kock - with three runners in Forest Path, Bouquet-Garni and Zirconeum - is ready to pounce if the favourite drops the ball.
stregoning@thenational.ae
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About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
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Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now