De Kock completed a sparkling big-race double sealed by Grand Emporium's stunning victory in the first round of the Maktoum Challenge (Gr 3) over 1,600 metres on dirt. The South African-bred son of National Assembly was delivered late on the outside by jockey Weichong Marwing to steal victory by a length and three quarters from Turkey's Kaneko with British challenger Jack Sullivan a further one and a quarter lengths back in third. De Kock amassed close to $3.5million (Dh 12.87 million) at the last year's Carnival and has already made a phenomenal start.

Earlier, the Mazin Al Kurdi-trained Velte made all and was left clear for an emphatic seven-length win in the Purebred Arabian leg of the Maktoum Challenge also over a distance of 1600metres on dirt. Ridden by Richard Mullen, Velte won this race last year in similar fashion.

Saudi Arabia's Chiquitin, ridden by Irish champion Mick Kinane, was fourth. Favourite Van Nistelrooy, the mount of four-time UAE champion jockey Ted Durcan, looked a big danger at the 300metre mark, but could find no more and had to settle for second place, a head in front of Ryan Giggs, ridden by Daragh O'Donohoe.

All three are owned by champion owner Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum.