Hukum firmly in St Leger reckoning following Geoffrey Freer success

Horse Racing

Burrows-trained colt has little trouble following up Royal Ascot triumph.

Hukum moved a significant step nearer giving trainer Owen Burrows his first runner in the St Leger with an impressive success in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury.

The lightly-raced son of Sea The Stars had little trouble in backing up his King George V Stakes success from Royal Ascot in the Group Three contest over a mile and five furlongs – always travelling well just off the pace before ranging up alongside Max Vega just over a furlong out.

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Once in the clear, the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt quickly put daylight between himself and the field under Jim Crowley to cross the line two and a half lengths clear of the game Max Vega.

Burrows said of his 4-1 scorer: “Jim said he travelled very well, but they didn’t go very quick. He did mention that he thought he would be better going a bit quicker. He was just very impressive.

“He had never run on soft ground and until they run on it there is always that little worry will they handle it – but he handled it fine. He is strengthening as the year goes on and is very exciting.”

Hukum was introduced at 12-1 for next month’s final Classic at Doncaster by William Hill, while having initially gone the same price Paddy Power quickly cut him to 10-1 for a race which will now come under serious consideration.

Burrows said: “I don’t think he will go too much further, but there is the St Leger which has been spoken about. He has got a bit of speed. I don’t think we are necessarily talking about a proper staying horse. I don’t see him as a cup horse at all.

“I will speak with Sheikh Hamdan, Angus (Gold) and Richard (Hills) and make a plan. It is great to have one like him.”

Though Hukum’s latest victory may have only been a Group Three, the Lambourn handler believes he is up there with the best he has trained.

He said: “I was very fortunate early on to have Massaat who was placed in a 2000 Guineas, placed in another Group One and won a Group Two here. For the mile-and-a-half-type of horses he would certainly be up there with the best. Laraaib won a Cumberland Lodge, but this horse has got a bit of class about him.

“When I spoke to Sheikh Hamdan after Royal Ascot he was mindful that this horse will be even better next year.”

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St Leger Geoffrey Freer Stakes St Leger Festival

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