Najem Suhail to be tested at The Valley

Trainers Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock are planning a Stakes race at Flemington for Najem Suhail, but first he has a date at Moonee Valley.

And that date if successful could lead the sprinter to bigger assignments later in the spring.

Najem Suhail heads to the Dr Sheahan Plate (1200m) on Saturday as a lead into the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 16.

“He’s very well but the big question mark will be whether he gets around The Valley,” de Kock said.

“It is three weeks to the Bobbie Lewis, which is our goal.

“It would have been a nine-week gap from his last run, so we thought we would roll the dice to The Valley, and if it happens to come off, and he likes The Valley, it opens up more avenues.

“If it doesn’t, he’s had a blow for the Bobbie Lewis anyway.”

Najem Suhail came to Australia after two runs in South Africa with high hopes, especially after trialling impressively before his debut at Mornington last September.

While Najem Suhail is now a three-time winner in Australia, he was his own worst enemy, but he was on his best behaviour when last seen, winning over 1000m at Flemington on July 15.

That was Najem Suhail’s first start as a gelding and the now six-year-old has not lost any of his trademark speed.

De Kock said Najem Suhail was now better behaved.

“It looks like he’s a better horse as a gelding and everyone can see he is a fast horse,” de Kock said.

De Kock said Najem Suhail had been set to run over 1100m at Flemington on August 5, but the sprinter had some bruising to heel, so the stable decided not to head to that race.

“He’s well over that now,” de Kock said.

“We’ll get through Saturday and then head to the Bobbie Lewis, and that will determine where he sits.”