Muhannak: doubt over new Breeders' Cup Marathon distance of 1m6f
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.comMuhannak may not go back to Breeders' Cup
BREEDERS' CUP winner Muhannak is not certain to defend his Marathon title at Santa Anita, trainer Ralph Beckett revealed on the eve of the five-year-old's first engagement in Britain in nearly a year on Saturday.
Muhannak, last seen in action when tenth in the Dubai World Cup, is poised to return in the Listed Shadwell Beech House Stud Stakes at Newbury as long as theground is fast - which must be in doubt given the going at the course was soft on Friday.
Since winning at Kempton last August he has toured the world, but since his win in the inaugural Breeders' Cup Marathon the organisers have raised the race distance from 1m4f to 1m6f. Because Muhannak has never raced beyond 1m4f he will need to prove his stamina to Beckett if he is to return to California in November.
"I think it is incredible they changed the trip of the race," said Beckett. "I am 50-50 about whether he will get the trip, but we are going to try to find out at home by probably running in the Geoffrey Freer andif he got it there we would go back.
"We have other options like the September Stakes and the race he won last year in Ireland [Diamond Stakes at Dundalk]."
After winning at Santa Anita, Muhannak finished seventh in the Hong Kong Vase and then had two starts in Dubai. He is all set for his return to action in Britain on Saturday, although his participation must be in doubt given his need for fast ground.
"I think it is fair to say Dubai didn't go according to plan," said Beckett. "Getting drawn one in the World Cup was a bit of a disaster, but the horse is none the worse for it.
"He is in great form now. He has done well for his break, although he didn't really enjoy it much. He is a much happier horse in work.
"He won't run unless the ground is on the quick side. It would be pointless running him on anything else. He is ready to run and he will run well if the ground is on his side."
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