Battaash took himself into the leading ranks of sprinters with a convincing two and a quarter length success in the Group Two five-furlong Qatar King George Stakes.
AUG 04th 2017
Friday Highlights: King George Stakes
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Sent off a 9/2 chance, he is trained by Charlie Hills and was ridden by Jim Crowley, retained jockey for owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
Trainer Charles Hills said: "I was delighted with his performance today. It is drying ground but he seemed to handle it no problem at all. I was really impressed with him."
Battaash is a three-year-old who is improving now and going through the ranks."
Trainer
"It was a Group Two today, A Group Three last time and a Listed race the time before. He is progressing certainly the right way and was up against some proper sprinters there. He just travelled with such ease."
When the Lambourn handler was asked if this three-year-old son of Dark Angel compared in any way Muhaarar, the former champion sprinter trained by Hills for Sheikh Hamdan, he said: "This horse is a serious speedball whereas Muhaarar I am sure would have got further. He won over seven furlongs and I am sure he would have got a mile had we gone that way.
"It will be the Nunthorpe (G1, 5f, York , August 25) next for Battaash, all being well. The five furlongs at York should really suit him.
"Obviously, we have got the American horse Lady Aurelia to contend with there, which should make it a good race."
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