Gold reveals Hamdan’s double Epsom hopes

Horse Racing
Gold reveals Hamdan's double Epsom hopes

Hamdan Al Maktoum is hoping to enjoy double success at Epsom as Maqsad and Madhmoon target the Investec Oaks and Derby respectively.

The owner has already tasted victory in the Derby on two previous occasions as Nashwan and Erhaab triumphed in 1989 and 1994 respectively and his hopes of a first win in 25 years will rest with the Kevin Prendergast-trained Madhmoon.

The three-year-old has already defeated the heavily-backed Broome and looked in strong form despite a fourth-placed finish in the 2000 Guineas.

And, looking ahead to Saturday’s Derby, the owner’s racing manager Angus Gold said: ‘They always used to say ‘fourth in the Guineas, first in the Derby’.

‘Obviously he’s going to have to improve, but it was a good run in the Guineas.

He was a little outpaced before staying on, and (jockey) Chris Hayes said he went a long way up the hill.

‘Chris thinks he’ll definitely get further.

I’m sure he’ll get a mile and a quarter – but whether he gets a mile and a half is something only Saturday will tell us.

‘His sire (Dawn Approach) didn’t get the trip, but that doesn’t mean he won’t.

This is as good a place as any to discover it.

‘ Meanwhile, Maqsad has returned this season with wins in both of her starts at Newmarket and Gold feels she offers Hamdan a realistic chance of securing his fourth triumph in Friday’s Oaks on the back of previous wins for Salsabil (1990), Eswarah (2005) and Taghrooda (2014).

‘Maqsad is a big filly who we always thought a fair bit of last year, but for whatever reason it didn’t work out,’ added Gold.

‘She’s come a long way this season.

She won well last time, but I just hope she handles the track because she is quite big.

‘It’s not guaranteed that she’ll stay the trip.

She’s by a fast horse (Siyouni) – who was by Pivotal, who can get them to stay – but Siyouni is out of a Danehill mare, and Maqsad is bred 3×3 to Danehill, so there is no guarantee.

‘However, there is stamina on her female side because the dam is by Galileo.

So it’s in the lap of the gods a bit, but she’s got plenty of class and hopefully that will get her a long way – we’ll just have to see whether it gets her the whole way.

‘Heading there with a chance in both Classics is why we are in this game.’

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