NEWBURY

OWEN Burrows, steadily making a name for himself as one of Hamdan Al Maktoum’s trainers, enjoyed his biggest success to date when 12/1 chance Massaat ran out a most convincing winner of the Group 2 Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last Saturday.

The Teofilo colt, absent for 373 days since going amiss last season, had finished runner-up to Galileo Gold in the 2000 Guineas. His starting price reflected possible rustiness but there was no sign of it as he picked up well for Jim Crowley to head Ibn Malik and Sir Dancelot, going on to beat warm favourite Librisa Breeze by just under two lengths, with Nathra third.

Librisa Breeze had no luck in running in the Lennox at Goodwood but 13/8 still seemed very short about a horse running in top handicaps not so long ago. He had every chance this time, and tried to challenge inside the final furlong, but the winner was simply too good.

“This is the first time I’ve ridden him in a race,” Crowley said. “It’s a great training performance. Massaat loved the slower ground because he’s a big horse and comes down on it quite hard. Seven furlongs seems right to me and he’ll be more relaxed next time.”

Burrows, understandably delighted, reported that chips had been removed from the winner’s knee and his homework had been highly satisfactory. He took his chance in the Derby last year (ninth), leading some to think a step-up in trip might be in order, but there are other possible targets.

“He’s entered for the Champion Stakes but we’ll get him home and see how he is. He’ll certainly go for a Group 1 and I must thank Charlie and Barry Hills for letting me use their gallop. We had a winner at Newmarket as well, so things are going well,” the trainer said.

Not only did the Shabaaby win at headquarters but stable-mate Okool took the mile and a half handicap, giving the stable a treble.