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Dewhurst off the cards for Middle Park winner Vandeek

3 minute read

Emphatic Middle Park Stakes winner Vandeek will not line up in the Dewhurst Stakes back at Newmarket, with connections opting to train him with a sprinting campaign in mind next season.

VANDEEK (C, yellow/black cap) winning the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in England. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The son of Havana Grey created a huge impression when keeping his unbeaten record intact in the Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket over the weekend, a performance that maintained the possibility for a potential tilt at the Dewhurst Stakes in a fortnight's time.

However, following discussions the decision has been made to draw stumps for the season.

Chris Wall, racing manager for owners KHK Racing, said: "Sheikh Khalid has decided to stick to sprinting.

"We had long discussions last night and that was the way he wanted to go and that is fine, we're all supportive of it.

"There's nothing else for Vandeek to run in now so we hope he winters well, and he'll come back with a view to the Commonwealth Cup as his principal early-season target.

"I think he's all about speed so I think we should play to his strengths rather than ask him to do something out of his comfort zone."