Menzies eager to assess Adonius in Molecomb test

Rebecca Menzies expects to have a clearer idea of how high Adonius can climb the sprinting ladder after he puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Veuve Clicquot Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood.

After two wins in little over a week at Musselburgh, the son of Soldier’s Call completed his hat-trick with a dominant front-running display in the Lily Agnes at Chester in early May, a victory which led to him being part-sold to American-based owners.

Menzies subsequently resisted the temptation to head to Royal Ascot and has sidestepped a couple of engagements since to keep her powder dry for the second half of the year, with a trip to the Breeders’ Cup identified as dream end-of-season target.

The County Durham-based trainer is well aware he has more tests to pass before that dream can become reality, however, starting off with Wednesday’s Group Three assignment on the Sussex Downs.

“It’s obviously a big day for the whole team and we’re really looking forward to it,” said Menzies.

“He’s done nothing wrong so far and the speed he showed at Chester suggests the quick five furlongs at Goodwood should suit him really well.

“It’s a step up in class, but the Chester form has worked out with the runner-up (Hickory Lad) winning the Woodcote at Epsom and running well in the July Stakes, the fourth (Cailin Aine) and sixth (Yahaira) have won since and the fifth horse (Final Appeal) was narrowly beaten in the Super Sprint at Newbury.

“We’ve given Adonius plenty of time, his last bit of work was really good and we’ve taken him to the beach at Redcar a couple of times to keep him nice and fresh, so he goes to Goodwood in great form.”

Richard Hannon’s Pershaada shed her maiden tag at the third attempt over the course and distance and having since finishing a fine fourth in the Queen Mary at the Royal meeting, connections are happy to pitch her in against the boys.

Tim Palin, managing director for owners Middleham Park Racing, said: “She won at the track in good style and in a good time and that Queen Mary form is red-hot – everything that comes out of it seems to be either winning big races or running big races in big races.

“Sean (Levey) actually felt he might have made a little more use of her at Ascot if he was able to ride the race again. I’m not saying we’ll try and make all at Goodwood, we’ll leave that to Sean. I’d imagine we might just ride her from mid-division and see where she lands.

“I’d say she has a big chance. The Rebecca Menzies horse is all speed so that should run well, but we go there very hopeful.

“If we can get a bit of black type that’s great for a filly and if we get a bit of bold black type (for winning) that would be even better.”

Other contenders include the Karl Burke-trained Ruler’s Pride, who made a big impression on his debut at Ayr before disappointing in the Coventry Stakes, and Nigel Tinkler’s El Floridita, who outperformed huge odds of 150-1 when finishing best of the rest behind the impressive Orthodox in the Norfolk.

“If he reproduces that (Ascot) form, he’d have to have a cracking each-way chance,” said Tinkler.

“I thought he’d be in the first six at Ascot, I didn’t think he’d be second necessarily, but when he won at Redcar he won in a very fast time – just over 57 seconds. He couldn’t do any more and for him to do that he has to be fairly sharp.

“He’s drawn three and we’d probably rather be drawn six or seven really, but we’ve got speed where we are.”

Flora Of Bermuda tests the water over seven furlongs for the first time in the other Group Three on the card, the Rolls-Royce Oak Tree Stakes.

The five-year-old carries a penalty for her second win in York’s Summer Stakes just under three weeks ago and trainer Andrew Balding is keen to see whether her stamina will stand up to this longer distance.

He said: “We’ve been thinking of running over seven furlongs for probably three years but she kept running well over six.

“The Oak Tree has a big field it could be a rough race, but we’ve put her in the City Of York Stakes at York and if she stays the seven that would be her target.

“She always turns up for us and has been brilliant over the years.”

Flora Of Bermuda’s rivals include the Richard Hughes-trained Sayidah Dariyan and Simon and Ed Crisford’s Zanthos, both of whom have their sights lowered after finishing down the field in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot respectively.

Ralph Beckett’s recent Newmarket scorer Planet Seeker, a previous winner at Goodwood, also features in a competitive race.