Hukum makes it back-to-back Geoffrey Free victories

Neil Morrice
August 14, 2021 1:57 pm

Smooth Newbury repeat for Burrows ace – and big international assignments could await.

Hukum registered back-to-back victories in comfortable fashion in the BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury.

The Owen Burrows-trained four-year-old looked a cut above the opposition as he pulled clear in the final furlong to defy a 3lb penalty for a Group Three success at York on his latest start.

Golden Pass set the pace, but Jim Crowley soon had the 8-11 favourite in second place away from any possible trouble in behind.

Class act – Hukum records back-to-back victories in the BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes 👏 @NewburyRacing @ShadwellRacing @JimCrowley1978 @ojburrows74 pic.twitter.com/RBR0zBiwTx
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 14, 2021

It looked an open contest three furlongs from home, although Hukum soon changed that when he hit the front with a quarter of a mile left.

He stretched away to win by three and a quarter lengths from the David Simcock-trained Rodrigo Diaz, who ran a big race with the Melbourne Cup in mind.

Pablo Escobarr was another length and a quarter away in third.

Jim Crowley enjoyed victory aboard Hukum (PA)

Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold said: “Jim said when he won at Goodwood he made a noise, so we tied his tongue down and since then he’s been really good.

“He’s a scopey horse that is putting it all together, and he has the speed to go shorter.

“He’s in the Lucien Barriere at Deauville in a couple of weeks, but looking ahead we might look towards the Breeders’ Cup Turf and the Hong Kong Vase.”