 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Owen Burrows is confident in Hukum's chances of winning the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe next weekend. He believes that the race will be a "different ball game" compared to what the French favorite, Ace Impact, has faced so far, as Hukum will be taking on older horses for the first time.
In an exclusive interview with the Racing Post, Burrows discussed the preparations for what could be the biggest day of his career. He also addressed the challenges of being seen as a private trainer and the controversial riding ban for Jim Crowley, which overshadowed Hukum's previous victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes.
When assessing the competition, Burrows expressed his respect for Westover, acknowledging that the horse has little to separate him from Hukum. He also recognized Ace Impact as a potential threat, describing him as a "monster" who could be capable of anything. However, Burrows emphasized that the Arc is a different challenge altogether, highlighting Hukum's experience as an older horse and his versatility on different types of ground. According to Burrows, Hukum has nothing left to prove.
Burrows is mindful of the weather forecast in Paris, which predicts predominantly dry conditions. While heavy ground would not have been a concern for Hukum, any going description that doesn't include the word 'firm' would suit his horse perfectly.
In conclusion, Owen Burrows is optimistic about Hukum's chances in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He believes that Hukum's experience and versatility make him a strong contender, even against the highly regarded Ace Impact. With favorable ground conditions, Burrows is hopeful that Hukum can secure a victory in what could be a career-defining race.
"Over the last week I've started to check what the weather is doing at Longchamp," he admitted. "As long as it's not rattling quick, I'm pretty easy. If it did turn out to be a bog it would hinder others more than us but good ground would be fine and it'll all come pretty much the same to him."
The trainer agreed with Shadwell's racing manager Angus Gold, stating that Hukum's absence since winning the King George should not be a cause for concern.
"Knowing what kind of horse he is, I'm more than happy," he said. "Workforce won the Arc on his first start since the King George when I was with Sir Michael [Stoute], so it's doable."