Kukkuli, right after shedding his maiden tag at Newmarket’s Craven meeting, shall take a step up in grade in Sandown's Chasemore Farm Stud Staff Heron Stakes the following month.
The Harry Charlton-trained colt, a half-brother of the formidable Frankel and by Juddmonte's Classic-winning sire Kingman, made a promising debut last autumn on the Rowley Mile behind eventual Listed winner Zoum Zoum.
Upon his seasonal arrival back at HQ, Frankel's dam's last foal Kind demonstrated his potential as a star when he defeated Ryan Moore's Creative Story for Charlie Appleby.
As connections look for more proof of his limit, he will now step up to the Listed level, where a strong showing will position the gifted youngster for future big-race assignments at Royal Ascot.
“It was brilliant to see what he did and he had a big run at Newmarket last year (on debut) when he was about 75-80 per cent. That was a big run and the form of the race was franked,” said Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European racing manager. “Tuesday was good and I thought in the last furlong if he wanted to give it up he could have, and he didn’t. He stuck his head out and went on and Ryan was complimentary of him. He came out of the race well and we will now look forward to the Heron (Stakes) with him. It looks to be the next logical step and if he is ready for another step up after that it brings you nicely into Royal Ascot and a whole host of races. We’ll concentrate on the Heron next and see where we go from there, we look forward to it.”