Alkumait will face a severe test of his stamina when he runs in Saturday’s Group 1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
The Marcus Tregoning-trained colt will be tackling seven furlongs for the first time on the Rowley Mile, but comes into the race in fine form following his latest victory in last month’s Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.
No horse has ever gone on to win the Dewhurst after triumphing in the Mill Reef, although connections are hopeful Alkumait can buck that trend, despite stamina potentially being a big issue for the two-year-old, particularly if conditions are soft.
Speaking at the Tattersalls Yearling October Sales, Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum said: “Alkumait came out of the Mill Reef very well and Sheikh Hamdan was keen to run him but the doubt is his stamina if it comes up very soft.
“Alkumait came out of the Mill Reef very well and Sheikh Hamdan was keen to run him but the doubt is his stamina if it comes up very soft.”
The Shadwell team will be looking to claim their first success in the Dewhurst since Mujahid triumphed in 1998 and they will be going two fold into the race, as Albasheer will also run following his second-place finish in last month’s Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.
