Asiatic Boy on song for World Cup.

Asiatic Boy lays down World Cup marker


Nad Al Sheba: Maktoum Challenge III (Group 2) 1m2f dirt

ASIATIC BOY, beaten only by the mighty Curlin in last year's Dubai World Cup, put down a serious marker for the world's richest race on March 28 with a powerful victory in the final round of the Maktoum Challenge.

The five-year-old was cut to 5-2 second favourite (from 7-2) behind US-trained Albertus Maximus for the World Cup by Blue Square after winning his sixth race at Nad Al Sheba altogether for trainer Mike De Kock, who was completing a Group 2 double on the ‘Super Thursday' card after Sheema Classic hope Front House took the City Of Gold.

The third leg of the Maktoum Challenge was the $300,000 highlight of a richly endowed card that is in effect a full-scale dress rehearsal for the World Cup meeting.

The only horse to have won the UAE Triple Crown, Asiatic Boy was beaten on his seasonal debut in Maktoum Challenge II but De Kock has maintained all along he is bringing his stable star along with the World Cup in mind.

Although Johnny Murtagh had to ask his mount to work almost three furlongs out, once he found his full stride he left Godolphin's Kirklees in his wake before collaring Happy Boy a furlong out.

Asiatic Boy, 15-8 favourite with British bookmakers, was drawn wide in a big field but won going away by a cosy two and a quarter lengths, with his stablemate Art Of War staying on gamely for third after making the running.

"We were hoping for a big run but it was never going to be easy from that 15 draw," said De Kock.

"He has had to work hard to get into contention but has really picked up nicely two furlongs out, then ground down the runner-up. The other horse has run a great race also and plugged on bravely for third."

Stablemate Honour Devil could still join him in the World Cup field after finishing second to Snaafy in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar.

"He will certainly have needed that run and there is plenty left to work with. We will have to sit down and think about our options," De Kock added.

Front House comes good for De Kock

Dubai City Of Gold (Group 2) 1m4f tuf

HALF an hour before Asiatic Boy's success, much-vaunted filly Front House had initiated the De Kock double in the City Of Gold, in which she stepped up on her previous Dubai form for a gutsy half-length verdict.

De Kock won last year's Sheema Classic with a mare in Sun Classique and now Front House will bid to emulate her after her victory in the City Of Gold.
Kevin Shea: won the Summer Mile at Ascot on Archipenko



Jockey Kevin Shea tracked the early pace in Thursday's 1m4f event before setting sail two furlongs out, just as he had on Sun Classique in the Sheema Classic.

A daughter of Sadler's Wells carrying the Sue Magnier's famous blue silks, Front House clearly appreciated the step up in trip for this Group 2 turf race, where she was chased home by Germany's Quijano, who finished strongly under his Group 1 penalty.

Just as he had in the Maktoum Challenge, De kock also saddled the third in King Of Rome, who passed favourite Purple Moon in the final furlong.

Shea was overjoyed: "We knew this extra trip would suit her - neither of her fillies and mares' races really went to suit her," he said.

"We have always really liked her and hoped she was an international Group 1 filly - she will now get the chance to prove it!"

Vodka punters shaken by Take as Balius scores

Jebel Hatta (Group 2) 1m1f turf

THE Jebel Hatta, the final Group 2 of the night, went to Balius, who looks an exciting new recruit to the UAE.

Having twice chased home De Kock horses in Hong Kong Group 1s last year, the ex-French six-year-old scored on his first start for trainer Abdulla Bin Huzaim in this course-and-distance trial for the Dubai Duty Free.

Balius caught South African duo Jay Peg and Russian Sage, who dead-heated for second, close home under Willie Supple, who was completing a double after scoring on Soy Libriano earlier on the card.

"That was a good performance as it was a quality field with Group 1 winners all around us," said the rider.
Jockey Willie Supple


"He travelled like a good horse, quickened and then battled - he should be a Duty Free horse and a worth looking forward to."

However, there may have been a hard-luck story here as Japanese superstar Vodka was holed up in apocket under Yutaka Take for the entire length of the straight.

Having travelled sweetly throughout, she was all dressed up with nowhere to go, leaving British broadcasters to suggest punters who had backed her to favouritism may havebeen tempted to throw things at the television.

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GODOLPHIN, leading the way at their home fixture, had a double on the ‘Super Thursday' card with City Style and Gayego.

Frankie Dettori was on the right one as former City Style beat stablemate Liberation by nearly two lengths in the inaugural Meydan Classic over 7½f on turf.

The former US-trained gelding was sent off even-money favourite with British bookmakers after an eyecatching Dubai debut three weeks previously.


Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: "That was a pleasing result and they are two nice horses."

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford added: "They are both nice types and with our horses going back to Europe earlier this year we may look at the Craven meeting for them."

Bin Suroor promptly doubled up with Gayego in the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal, a trial for the Golden Shaeen on the dirt.

However, UAE champ Ted Durcan rode the four-year-old as Dettori was aboard the favourite Diabolical, who could finish only third.

Gayego, returned an 8-1 shot, was a Triple Crown contender in 2008 when he won the Grade 2 Arkansas Derby over 1m1f.

Dropped down in trip, he ran on well to collar Saudi Arabia's Big City Man inside the final furlong.

"Both our horses have run very well and this is a nice new horse who has shown a lot ofspeed at home," said Bin Suroor.

"He is a big horse and I am sure he will improve from that, as will Diabolical.

Sheikh Hamdan's Snaafy (Musabah Al Muhairi/Richard Hills) completed a carnival hat-trick when landing the Group 3 Burj Nahaar over 1m on dirt, where he scored decisively over 2008 UAE Derby winner Honour Devil, who tried to make all.

"He is a really nice, progressive horse who will be even better next year but we will surely look at the Godolphin Mile," said Hills.

Soy Libriano was the surprise 12-1 winner of the Al Bastikiya, the Listedthoroughbred opener that is the middle leg of the UAE Triple Crown.

The former Uruguayan-trained colt was a tenth winner at the 2009 Carnival for training sensation Mubarak Bin Shafya, who saddled half the six-runner field for this UAE Derby trial.

Sheikh Mohammed arrived just before the race, but Godolphin's odds-on shot Jose Adan could plug on only for second behind a winner owned by his son Sheikh Majid.

Winning rider was Willie Supple, who was breaking his duck for the 2009 carnival - and later completed a double winning the last on Balius.