3 minute read
Anmaat will bid to make it back-to-back Group 1’s and give trainer Owen Burrows a 49th birthday to remember in this weekend’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
The gelded son of Awtaad made a pleasing seasonal reappearance when finding only 2021 Derby hero Adayar too strong in the rearranged bet356 Gordon Richards Stakes at Newmarket in May and took a sizeable step forward when landing his first Group 1 in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp later that month.
Although impressed with his horse's performance at Longchamp, Owen Burrows still believes he needs to take another step forwards come Saturday afternoon.
He said: "I was more than happy with his comeback run at Newmarket as he was attempting to give Adayar five pounds. I know he won first time up last season, but I didn't want to stick him in a Group 1 for his first run of the year.
"I thought he would run well in France. The only worry, once I got there, was the ground as it was much quicker than I expected, but we got away with it. I'd like to think he overcame that because of his class.
"To get his head in front in France in a Group 1, when it turned into a bit of a sprint, I felt he did well as the ground was lively enough for him.
"Those races can be tactical in France and there was a worry there wasn't going to be too much pace, but Jamie Spencer shot forward on Light Infantry which caught us all a bit by surprise.
"He then stacked them up on the false straight and then it was a sprint to the line. We were a row further back than we ideally wanted to be, but I thought he did well to overcome all that. He did well as a lot went against him.
"I know it was a Group 1 he won in France, but he has still got to do it on that stage in our country. I think he needs to find a few more pounds to win an Eclipse from his run in France.
"I think he probably needs to step up to a mark in the low 120s, but I don't think that is out of the question."
The Lambourn-based handler admitted that while victory would give him an enormous amount of personal satisfaction at one of his favourite tracks, that success would more than anything be rewarding the family of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, for their continued support.
Burrows said: "I was lucky enough to be at Sir Michael Stoute's when Notnowcato won the race (in 2007), and it is one of those proper Group Ones. It would be a massive tick on the CV if I could add that to the list.
"It is my birthday on the day as well so it would be a massive birthday present if Anmaat could get his head in front.
"Sandown has always been one of my favourite tracks, even when I was riding.
"I had a few winners there early in my training career and then we had been pretty quiet there until this year when we had Hukum win the Brigadier Gerard and Rowayeh won there the other Saturday. Hopefully, this will turn into one of my favourite races.
"I hope Sheikh Hamdan is looking down on us and that he is proud. It means a lot to have nice winners for Sheikha Hissa and her family because without their dad I wouldn't be sat here training now.
"It is a shame he is not here in person to see it but hopefully he is looking down. If I can keep producing winners for Sheikha Hissa and her family, then I will be happy."
The John and Thady Gosden-trained Emily Upjohn, who will now be ridden by William Buick with Frankie Dettori sidelined, heads the market at a general 11/8 following an impressive display in the Coronation Cup over a mile and a half at Epsom on her reappearance.
Although respectful of her position towards the head of affairs, Burrows is by no means frightened by taking her on and suggests that Anmaat could have the edge should the race become a tactical affair.
Burrows added: "I was at Epsom that day when Emily Upjohn won the Coronation Cup and I thought she looked tremendous in the paddock. She was the pick for me.
"She looked very impressive in winning, and I certainly respect her, but I wouldn't run away from her put it that way.
"It will be interesting to see who turns up as it doesn't look like there will be a big field.
"That is where it might make it a bit tactical and that is where I think we could benefit as Anmaat has that bit of tactical speed.
"He justifies getting a chance in the Eclipse and he is here to race as he is a gelding so let's crack on and give it a go."
Burrows was also keen to point out his five-year-old's versatility underfoot. He said: "For once I'm reasonably relaxed about what the weather does. Usually, I'm watching the weather like a hawk and checking apps every two minutes."
"If it was the easy side of good that would be his optimum ground. When Jim (Crowley) rode him in the Rose Of Lancaster it was that and visually that was his most impressive display.
"If it is good ground there will be no excuses, but that is the beauty with him as he will handle it if it is a bit quicker, as he won on good to firm ground when he was three at Doncaster and he will handle it if it is a bit softer.
"Andrew Cooper [Clerk of the Course at Sandown] does a great job with the ground at Sandown though. If we get the rain, great, but if not I'm sure it will be good, safe, fast ground.
