Rebecca Menzies could be in for the biggest day of her career as she bids for a breakthrough group success at Glorious Goodwood.
Outsider Brazilian Rose gets the first crack at providing a landmark victory in the July 29 Oak Tree Stakes (G3), but a better chance comes 35 minutes later when the unbeaten Adonius lines up in the 5-furlong Molecomb Stakes (G3) for juveniles at Goodwood Racecourse.
His most recent victory came in the non-black-type Lily Agnes Stakes in May, a performance that was enough to attract United States investment, with Virginia-based owners Riverdee and West Paces buying into Adonius.
With the Molecomb being a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T), the Oct. 30-31 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland is now the long-term target, which prompted connections to bypass Royal Ascot.
Adonius faces a much sterner test Wednesday than in the Lily Agnes, with the first four in the betting separated by little in the market.
The Richard Hannon-trained Pershaada has been notably well backed, shortening from an opening 8-1 to head the betting at around 7-2.
She is one of two course-and-distance winners in the field, alongside the 50-1 outsider Undercover Affair. Pershaada won a novice at Goodwood in May before finishing fourth behind Victorious in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot.
She finished one place ahead of Amo Racing's reopposing Crownbreaker at Ascot before he won a listed race at Deauville in his next start.
