David Menuisier’s Group One winner, Sunway, is set to step up in distance once more as he is slated to compete in the Betfred St Leger.
The three-year-old Galiway colt, a full brother to 2021 Champion Stakes winner Sealiway, concluded his two-year-old season with a top-level victory in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.
This season, Sunway returned to the same track to finish a close second in the Group Three Prix Greffulhe, missing out by just a neck. His performance in the Irish Derby in June, where he was narrowly beaten by less than a length, highlighted his stamina and prompted his connections to enter him in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes over a mile and a half.
In the King George, Sunway, ridden by James Doyle, lost his footing when entering the home straight at Ascot. Despite this, he rallied to recover and secured a fourth-place finish.
Menuisier was pleased with Sunway’s performance under the circumstances and now plans to prepare him for the world’s oldest Classic, the St Leger, at Doncaster on September 14, where he is currently priced at 8-1.
Menuisier noted that Sunway is currently taking a break, after which the plan is to prepare him for the St Leger. He found Sunway's performance at Ascot impressive, especially considering the colt nearly fell and lost his balance but managed to recover and finish fourth, which was deemed a very satisfactory effort.
He added that James Doyle had remarked on how Sunway seemed to have lost all hope when he nearly fell, but the colt demonstrated great determination to finish strongly. Menuisier observed that Sunway's performances in the Irish Derby and the King George indicate he could benefit from the additional distance.
Menuisier concluded that while it is impossible to know for certain until the race is run, Sunway appears to be the type of horse who will improve with the step-up in the trip.