FIRST RACE - European Breeder Fund Crocker Buteel Maiden Stakes

Group Race Agenda For Lazy Max

The Richard Hannon-trained To The Max prompted talk of a Group race bid after staying on late to take the six-furlong contest under Jimmy Fortune by three-quarters of a length from Dijeerr.

The unraced Spectrum colt, sent off a 15/2 chance, took a while to get going, prompting the trainers son and assistant, Richard Hannon jnr to say: He is not shown loads at home and he is also been a bit lazy, but he is a nice horse. This fellow surprised me but when he gets a whack he goes and does it. I couldn not have said he would have gone and won first time. It was obviously a nice race as the one on his inside (Dijeerr) cost half a million and Jeremy Nosedas (Dodge City) looked great in the paddock.

We will look to go seven furlongs or a mile but will have to talk it through with the owner first.

Roger Barby, who heads the Max Partnership, which owns To The Max, commented: We have got to think in terms of flying fairly high now. To win first time at Ascot is what gives us little bits of dreams, so we might try to go for a Group race with him. He is lazy and stayed on nicely but he is a bit weak and delicate still. He actually had a harder race than I wanted. I told the jockey not to give him a hard race,  but obviously when he went there with a winning chance Jimmy had to do what he could to win.

Hannon was also responsible for fifth-placed Paceman and reported: Hes a real nice horse with a good pedigree. He is a little weak and just faltered in the last 100 yards. Jockeys reported the ground to be quicker than yesterday, following the opening European Breeders Fund Crocker Bulteel Maiden Stakes.

Jimmy Fortune, rider of the winner, To The Max, reported: Itis pretty quick out there. Certainly much faster than yesterday.

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