Arkadian is on a mission to Toronto

Arkadian Hero could this Saturday take his first steps towards a Canadian retrieval mission.

The Luca Cumani-trained entire, now a six-year-old, attempts to follow up last year's victory in Newbury's Hungerford Stakes and advertise his claims for going one better than last year's unlucky second in the Grade One Atto Mile across the Atlantic at Woodbine, Toronto.

Only soft ground would deter Cumani from targetting Saturday's Stan Jamessponsored Group Three event, in which Arkadian Hero beat Cape Town by three-and-a-half lengths 12 months ago. Goodwood's Group Two Celebration Mile on Saturday week is an alternative stepping-stone.

Arkadian Hero reverted to miling only last year after a long spell among the sprinting ranks and is still in search of that elusive first Group One career win.

He came heartbreakingly close in last September's Atto Mile when, after becoming upset in the unfamiliar North American stalls and losing eight lengths at the start, he failed by only a nose to peg back Riviera. An attempt to recoup in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs two months later was also lost in the starting stalls. No such problems have been in evidence either in Dubai or England this season and Cumani was buoyed by Arkadian Hero's good third to Medicean in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. Although plans are fluid, how close his charge went in Canada last year looms large in the Newmarket trainer's plans.

"Where we go with Arkadian-Hero always depends on the ground as he can't have it soft. But if he acquits himself well at either Newbury or Goodwood, we're hopeful he'll then go to the Atto Mile. He was so unlucky last year," said Cumani.

"If he were to miss Canada, then there's a mile Group Three at Doncaster's St Leger meeting. We are thinking about the Breeders' Cup Mile again, but that's longterm."

Jamie Spencer, the jockey who has consolidated his already burgeoning reputation with a glut of big-race victories this summer, partners Arkadian Hero wherever he runs. The 21-year-old will also be the man on board if recent Glorious Goodwood winner, Kuster, makes the cut for the Tote Ebor at York a week today.