11 August 2020

Minzaal under consideration for Gimcrack

11 August 2020

Owen Burrows is considering testing the credentials of Minzaal in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York on Friday week.

The Mehmas colt looked a smart prospect when building on a promising debut at Ascot with an effortless success at Salisbury on Sunday.

Although a final decision has yet to be made which race Minzaal will contest next, the six-furlong Group Two prize on the Knavesmire is a possible option, along with the Group Three Unibet Sirenia Stakes at Kempton on September 5.

Burrows said: “The Mill Reef was mentioned as an option, but that isn’t until September 19, then the Middle Park is a week later.

“We’ve got the Gimcrack a week on Friday and the Sirenia on the first Saturday in September and they look more likely options.

“He didn’t over-do himself at Salisbury and he has a great mind on him, so I would have no problems potentially running him back quick in the Gimcrack.

He was showing us a nice level of ability in his work, but I didn’t quite expect him to be that impressive as that first time out

Albasheer looks set to return to the scene of his impressive six-and-a-half-length debut victory at Doncaster, with Burrows weighing up a number of options back on Town Moor for the son of Shamardal.

He said: “He was showing us a nice level of ability in his work, but I didn’t quite expect him to be that impressive as that first time out.

“We will probably look at something back at Doncaster – you have the Champagne Stakes, the Flying Scotsman and there is a seven-furlong conditions race as well.

“Jim (Crowley) will sit and do some work on the horse and see what sort of feel he gets and that will tell us where we go.”

Twaasol will bid to return winning ways dropped back to six furlongs in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy on August 31.

Having run out a stylish winner of the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom on his penultimate start, the Adaay colt lost his unbeaten record when failing to fire on his first try over seven furlongs in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot.

Burrows said: “He was a bit sore after Ascot and the ground was too quick for him. He never felt happy and Martin (Harley) said he never moved as well as he did in his previous two races.

“We will aim him at the Ripon race that we won with Enjazaat three years ago, but we will be mindful of the ground.”

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