Patiently handled by jockey Johnny Murtagh, Asiatic Boy (Arg) (h, 6, Not for Sale {Arg})--S.S. Asiatic, by Polish Navy) made a steady run to win the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, turning the tables on runner-up Happy Boy (Brz) (Ski Champ).
Winner of the 2006 UAE 2000 Guineas and G2 UAE Derby, Asiatic Boy (image: DRC/Watkins)was second to Curlin in last year's G1 Dubai World Cup. He made one start since, leading to the 200m mark, then giving away grudgingly to report home third behind My Indy (Arg) (Indygo Shiner) and Happy Boy in the G3 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2.
It was the second victory on the card for trainer Mike de Kock.
AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE R3 - INVASOR
1 Asiatic Boy (ARG) - Tracked leading group, ridden 600m out, led 200m out, ran on well
2 Happy Boy (BRZ) - Tracked leader, led 400m out, headed 200m out, ran on well
3 Art Of War (SAF) - Soon led, headed 400m out, kept on same pace
4 Kirklees (IRE) - Tracked leader, going well 500m out, ridden and one pace 400m out
5 Muhannak (IRE) - Mid-division, chased leaders 600m out, one pace final 300m
6 Dynamic Saint (USA) - Tracked leading group, one pace final 600m
7 Jonquil (IRE) - Mid-division, tracked leaders 500m out, one pace final 400m
8 Glen Nevis (USA) - Always mid-division
9 Tiz Now Tiz Then (USA) - Mid-division on rail, ridden 800m out, one pace
10 Arqaam (GB) - Slowly away, raced in rear of mid-division, never near to challenge
11 Jet Express (SAF) - Rear of mid-division, hard ridden 900m out, soon beaten
12 Merchant Marine (USA) - Raced in rear, never near to challenge
13 Lucky Ray (ARG) - Tracked leaders, not much room 800m out, weakened
14 Team Victory (BRZ) - Never able to challenge
15 Pearly King (USA) - Raced in rear, never near to challenge
16 Varsity (GB) - Soon struggling in last, never dangerous
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