The ultra talented Redoute's Choice colt from the Mike De Kock yard, Mustaaqeem has been out of action after this facile South African Nursery win last year and his return is now 10 months in the making. The VAAL on Thursday is setting for his 2018 debut 

The Australian bred son of the SA champion sprinting mare National Colour was interestingly left behind with the South African string for the annual Dubai trip of the De Kock Carnival stable which must be gain for local followers.

Regular pilot Callan Murray gets the mount as he has in all Mustaaqeem's starts and he would likely lead this progress field to a merry dance.

The next best challenger is the debut winner, Gimmethenight with the once highly touted filly Maleficent also in the line up. The Marwing Brothers combine for this effort. The soon to be leaving Weichong will be looking to remind punters of his prowess one more time before his Mauritius stint begins in March.

Pera Palace also highly rated by the stable was beaten by Azzie's Down To Zero last time out and they meet again here. Pera Palace is 3 kgs better off now for that 2 lengths beating.

However the race is all about the return of the star Mustaaqeem and all eyes will be on his well being.