Grounds for optimism over Sussex flop Belardo

GROUND conditions will remain key to deciding future targets for Belardo after he failed to fire in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, writes Peter Allison.

Belardo disappointed at Goodwood when ground conditions turned against him. Picture: Getty

Last year’s Dewhurst hero disappointed on his return to action in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, but showed his talent remains intact when a close fourth behind the brilliant Gleneagles in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

He looked set to encounter his favoured ease in the ground on the Sussex Downs at the start of last week, but conditions dried out to good going by race time and he was unable to make an impact behind French star Solow.

Ted Voute, racing manager for part-owner Prince Faisal, said: “Unfortunately the ground went for him again and I think we just need to stick to our guns from now on and only run him when the ground is right. At one point it looked as though the weather was playing into our hands, but it dried out through the week and once again the jockey got off him and just said the ground was against him.

“We know the talent is still there. The work he does on the Watered Gallop in Newmarket on a morning is still impressive, so we haven’t lost faith in him.”