Glorious Goodwood 2017 – Battaash and Jim Crowley shine on the Sussex Downs in the Qatar King George Stakes
Charlie Hills' exciting young sprinter now looks set to have a crack at the Nunthorpe where he will meet star American sprinter Lady Aurelia in what should be a thrilling contest
BATTAASH looks a Group 1 winner in waiting after he produced a demolition job in the Qatar King George Stakes at Goodwood.
The field was not without quality with Group 1 winners Marsha and Profitable among those to take on the young sprinter, but Battaash was in a different league.
Take Cover, a dual winner of the race, made his usual flying start and cut out the early running, but Battaash breezed alongside at the halfway stage.
Crowley’s mount soon asserted and though 9-4 favourite Profitable tried to bridge the gap, Battaash was away and gone and passed the post two and a quarter lengths clear.
Profitable was a clear second ahead of Marsha in third, with Take Cover fourth.
Crowley said: “I don’t think I’ve ridden a better sprinter.
“I went to ride him work at Charlie’s and it was like riding a motorbike up the gallops. He was very fast.
“I had to keep a lid on him and he’s got plenty left in the tank. I was worried about the ground a little bit but Charlie wasn’t. He was quite adamant he’d go on the ground.
“Horses in his pedigree have gone on ground with a bit of cut, but he’ll probably be even more effective on better ground.”
Hills said: “I was delighted with his performance. Obviously it’s drying ground, but he seemed to handle it no problem at all.
“He’s just a three-year-old who’s improving and going through the ranks.
“He was up against some proper sprinters there. He just travelled with ease. It’s the Nunthorpe (York) next, all being well.
“I think five furlongs at York should really suit him. He’ll have the American horse (Lady Aurelia) to contend with and that should make it a good race.”