Massaat has Derby option
Monday 2 May 2016 15:56, UK
Owen Burrows is not ruling out the possibility of Qipco 2000 Guineas runner-up Massaat taking aim at next month's Investec Derby.
After finding only Galileo Gold too good at Newmarket on Saturday, the Lambourn handler is now considering upping the son of Teofilo to a mile and a half for the Epsom showpiece on June 4, for which he is a general 16-1 shot.
He said: "He was ridden this morning and he seems to have come out of the race fine. He will now have a quiet week before being built back up again.
"Initially after the race I was like 'second again' but you can't be disappointed with finishing second in the Guineas.
"He's done everything right and there were no hard luck stories. He had every chance but just found one too good.
"As far as future engagements go Paul (Hanagan) said he would certainly stay 10 furlongs. We will see what the boss (Sheikh Hamdan) wants to do and we will chat with the rest of the team, but I certainly wouldn't rule the Derby out.
Although the three-year-old has yet to race beyond a mile, Burrows feels he has the ability to get further given his attitude during races.
He added: "He was not stopping in the Guineas and he galloped all the way to the line. While his breeding suggests that he may struggle to get a mile and a half, there is only one way of finding out.
"He was a little fresh in Guineas, but he travelled strongly. He relaxes in his races and that gives him every chance of getting the mile and a half.
"If he does run in the Derby he would go straight there as it comes plenty soon enough."
