Group One engagement on agenda for classy Anmaat
Connections of Anmaat are toying with the idea of running in France if he does not take up his intended engagement in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on Sunday week.
The hugely-consistent Owen Burrows-trained five-year-old, who won the Group Two Prix Dollar at ParisLongchamp in October, opened this season with a runner-up effort behind 2021 Derby winner Adayar in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month.
The son of Awtaad, who stayed on well under Jim Crowley to get within two and a half lengths of the classy winner, has won six of his 11 starts and placed on the other five occasions.
Back in business! 💥
Adayar, the 2021 Derby winner, makes a terrific seasonal debut in the Gordon Richards Stakes @NewmarketRace
Much to look forward to for @godolphin pic.twitter.com/KnFCmjeX3I
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 7, 2023
Now Anmaat could take the step into Group One company for the first time.
Angus Gold, racing manager for the gelding’s owners Shadwell Estates, said: “He has come out of the Gordon Richards well.
“The original plan was always to look at the Tattersalls Gold Cup in Ireland at the end of next week.
“Either that, or the Prix d’Ispahan (May 29). We will look at those, as long as he is in good shape.”
Plans are similarly fluid for the William Haggas-trained Mujtaba, who was beaten a neck by Point Lonsdale in last week’s Huxley Stakes at Chester.
“I don’t know what the plans are as yet,” said Gold. “I thought he ran a good race. Jim (Crowley) was a bit annoyed with himself. He said if he sat right up Ryan’s backside, he thought he would have won it.
“I think that is being a bit harsh. That was only his first run of the season and he is a big, galloping horse.
“I know he has won at Chester, but he’s also run badly there before. I don’t think it suits him. He wants a more galloping track ideally.
“For me, at least it showed he belongs in that sort of company and I thought he ran a very good race.
“He’ll go anywhere where there is a bit of decent ground. He wouldn’t want quick ground.”