Cox Plate For A Master Of Hounds
Master of Hounds could possibly be the first British trained winner of the Cox Plate.
After being transferred to William Haggas’ Newmarket yard from Mike de Kock, Master of Hounds is yet to have a run for Haggas.
Owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum, Master of Hounds looks likely to head to York next week for the Strensall Strakes if Australia agrees to his Spring campaign over here.
Master of Hounds ran eighth in the Dubai World Cup and also has the option of running at the Bosphorus Cup meeting in Turkey at the end of September.
Haggas recently said to Sky Racing Radio, "He didn't really run his race in the World Cup but he's had a nice break and his work is super at the moment. Really it's only in the last two weeks that I've thought that we should be considering Australia. I've put it to the owner and his team and they are considering it now.
"He's a very good horse. If the owner’s up for it, we're up for it. I like the horse very much. His record of two wins in 14 starts is not that impressive but we have a few smart horses here and he's as every bit as good as them.
"We have an option of going to Turkey for a very valuable Group 2 race in early September. Sadly he can't run in Turkey and Australia so it will be one or the other and the decision will be made in the next week.
"If he doesn't go to Turkey he'll go to York as he needs a race before he comes your way. He'll have an 8lb penalty in [the Strensall Stakes] and he'll run a very good race without being good enough I suspect."
Master of Hounds could be joined by fellow international raider Crackerjack King who contested in the Arlington Million on the weekend, he was near the front at the home turn, but settled for fifth.
Darren Dance, representing part-owners Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, told Sky Racing Radio: "Crackerjack King has one run for Marco in the UK on a very wet track which clearly he wasn't suited by and given the weather over there we had a plan going back two months to go over to Arlington for the Million.
"He's had the ideal lead up and it's the ideal test for the horse to find out whether he's going to be up to a race like the Cox Plate given the strength we're expecting this year.
"We think he's performing well and Marco is extremely happy with the way he's training. It's his first overseas trip and he's travelled brilliantly, eaten up and his first little piece of work over there was outstanding."