Maxi King
Maxi King did well to keep on as well as he did to take third place in the 12-furlong handicap at Epsom on Derby day. Settled in mid-division from early, he made his ground easily on the outside on the run down the hill to the home turn. He hit the front at the three-furlong pole, and he came under a ride then and, while he was passed by the winner Small Fry on the run to the furlong marker, he kept on well after he was passed, just losing out on the runner-up spot to Dream Harder, with the first three finishing nicely clear of their rivals.
This was Maxi King's first run since being gelded, and it was his first run since November, and that may have told late on in the softening conditions. It was still a really encouraging run, he made good ground off a fast pace to hit the front, before being run down by two hold-up horses late on. Fourth in the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes last May, Raphael Freire's horse should progress from this, his seasonal return. A 1lb hike was not harsh, it leaves him on a mark of 101, still 3lb lower than his peak, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next. This 12-furlong trip is ideal for him and, while he probably wouldn't want fast ground, good ground is fine for him, and he handles testing conditions well.
Epsom, 7th June 2025
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