Rebecca Menzies is preparing for her first racing trip to the US, where she will saddle her debut North American runner when stable star Adonius contests a Grade 3 race at Keeneland on October 4.
The three-time winning two-year-old, a gelded son of Soldier's Call, could remain at Keeneland for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint on October 30 depending on the outcome. Top US-based rider Flavien Prat has been booked for the ride.
Adonius's form and new owners
Adonius recorded two wins at Musselburgh and one at Chester before finishing second in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and runner-up in a Listed contest at the York Ebor Festival.
New American owners bought into the gelding, who will stay in the US and not return to Menzies at the end of the trip.
“Adonius flies tonight [Thursday] and he is entered to run in the Indian Summer Stakes,” said Menzies. “He is staying in America, win, lose or draw. That’s why he is going early.
“If he was to win or run well he could justify a tilt at the big one. If he doesn’t he will stay to continue his career there for the same owners.”
Transition to Flat racing
Menzies, who was Britain’s youngest licensed trainer when she launched her career in 2013, has registered most of her 400-plus winners over jumps but has been gradually transitioning towards the Flat with Adonius becoming the flagbearer.
“Adonius has been in great form since York and I think the warm weather has really helped him because he has kept his coat and looks a million dollars,” she said. “He did a very good piece of work in Malton last week with Julie Camacho’s sprinters.
“His prep has been perfect. He is going over there as good as he has ever been but whether that will be good enough I have no idea.
“The race over five and a half furlongs round a bend might help him settle bet and I am really looking forward to running him. It feels like a posh handover that we get to run him in the Grade 3.
“It’s the first time any of us have done this. I need to experience these things. I fly over on Monday and spend a week there, taking as much in as I can. It will be a whole new world for me. I’ve been to America once, but I only went to Disneyland.”
