Group 2 winner Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) is likely for the G1 Dewhurst S. on Oct. 10, but would need to be supplemented. A winner at Goodwood at second asking on July 28, the Shadwell colourbearer won the G2 Mill Reef S. by 3/4 of a length at Newbury on Sept. 19.
“We were absolutely thrilled with him,” said Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager Angus Gold of the Marcus Tregoning trainee. “He showed a really nice turn of foot and won very nicely. The Mill Reef/Middle Park double has never really worked out for us, so we were never going to go down that route.
“His action would suggest he prefers top of the ground. That's not to say he wouldn't handle cut in the ground, but I certainly don't think he would want it heavy.
“Marcus would like to run Alkumait again this year–and as he said on Saturday, the only race for him really is the Dewhurst, which we didn't enter him for because he'd only won a maiden at that stage.
“We'll see how the land lies. We also have [G2 Champagne S. runner-up] Albasheer (Ire) (Shamardal) as a possible for the Dewhurst–I think he was undone by his inexperience as much as anything at Doncaster.
“There would be a question mark over the trip for Alkumait–but if he settled well, like he did on Saturday, he'd give himself a chance. Seven furlongs at Newmarket is a different test to six at Newbury, so we'll see.
“It wouldn't be the end of the world if he didn't run again this year, [but] the Dewhurst is the best 2-year-old race in England, so if you can give yourself a better chance of winning it, maybe you should. “
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