LONDON // In the aftermath of Saturday’s Eclipse Stakes at Sandown trainer William Haggas revealed that he had already planned to run Mukhadram in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes before he raced in the Dubai World Cup in March.
Mukhadram, who came second in Dubai, secured his first win at the highest level when he dominated the 2000-metre Group 1 Eclipse Stakes, and Haggas hopes to persuade owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid that Plan A is the right one.
Mukhadram has run nine times over 2,000 metres, recording three wins, a second and a third, and jockey Paul Hanagan said he believes the step up to 2,400 metres on July 26 will be within his mount’s compass.
“He likes to lengthen his stride and I don’t think there will be any problems,” Hanagan said. “He should stay well.”
Sheikh Hamdan has not won the King George since 1989, when Nashwan scythed through the British turf season to win the 2,000 Guineas, Derby, Eclipse and the Ascot race to make it a glorious summer.
Angus Gold, the sheikh’s racing manager, is another who feels Mukhadram can take the step up in distance and underlined that the King George is very much under consideration.
“I have no doubt he will stay a mile and a half,” Gold said. “On his pedigree, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t stay. Whether he will be as effective as he is at a mile and a quarter is another matter.
“If he’s in good form leading up to the King George, it’s going to be a huge temptation.”
When the idea was floated regarding the inaugural Stars & Stripes meeting at Belmont Park, the Europeans licked their lips eagerly at what was perceived to be an easy shot at Group 1 glory.
After the Americans shut out the European raiders in New York on Saturday night, however, there may have to be a rethink.
Toast Of New York, the UAE Derby winner, could finish only sixth to Mr Speaker, trained by Shug McGaughey and ridden by Jose Lezcano, although Aidan O'Brien's Adelaide pushed him all the way to the wire to be runner-up by a neck.
The Belmont Oaks was even more emphatic, as trainer Chad Brown and Joel Rosario teamed to produce Minorette, who led home fellow Americans Sea Queen and Summer Solo. Minorette receives a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita in November, because of the Challenge Series incentive.
Also in America, Sammy V won the Grade 3 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup in Pleasanton, California, on Saturday.
Sammy V, a grey ridden by Juan Sanchez, was a 13-length winner.
“He is one of the best Purebred Arabians I have ever ridden,” Sanchez said. “In fact, it feels like you are racing on a thoroughbred. He is super fast.”
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