by Mike Curry

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum’s Asiatic Boy delivered a resounding victory on Friday in the $250,000 United Arab Emirates Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3) at Nad al Sheba racecourse.

The Not for Sale colt, a Southern Hemisphere three-year-old, stalked the pace from the outside under jockey Johnny Murtagh in the 1,600-meter (7.95-furlong) race.

Asiatic Boy accelerated to the lead with 500 meters remaining and easily drew away from seven challengers to prevail in 1:36.25 over a fast main track.

“He’s the best three-year-old I’ve ridden since I’ve been in Dubai,” Murtagh said. “He stretched away nicely.”

Traffic Guard finished second, a half-length in front of Rallying Cry.

Trained by Mike de Kock, Asiatic Boy improved to three wins and two seconds from five career starts. He entered off a 4 3/4-length victory on January 18 at Nad al Sheba.

De Kock said he will point Asiatic Boy to the S & M al Naboodah Holding U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) on March 31 at Nad al Sheba, and compared his three-year-old to 2003 U.A.E. Derby winner and 2004 Emirates Airlines Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) third-place finisher Victory Moon.

“He may even be a little bit better,” de Kock said.

In his final start in South America for former trainer Roberto Pellegatta and owner Dona Ana, Asiatic Boy finished second to Husson in the Gran Criterium (Arg-G1).

Bred in Argentina by Haras Arroyo de Luna, Asiatic Boy is out of the Polish Navy mare S. S. Asiatic.

For a link to a video replay of the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas, click here.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor