REBECCA MENZIES broke new ground at Pontefract when Stormy Girl provided her with a first Listed winner in the EBF Highfield Farm Flying Fillies’ Stakes.

Sedgefield-based Menzies cut her teeth in the National Hunt game but is well and truly established as a dual-purpose handler nowadays.

She was sent Stormy Girl by owners Mike and Eileen Newbould in the off season, and the filly ran a blinder first time out when just over a length behind Liberty Beach at Haydock.

A good run over seven furlongs followed – but she was well beaten last time out at York, which meant she went off a 22-1 chance.

Bounced out of the stalls by Cam Hardie, she never saw another rival and beat Jouska by a length and a quarter.

“We were so fortunate to be sent this horse, and she is obviously by far the best I’ve ever had,” said Menzies.

“Her first two runs for me at Haydock were very good – she was only a length and a quarter behind Liberty Beach. But when she disappointed at York we scoped her, and a lot of our horses weren’t quite right – she was quite sick.

“She was at her best today and is a very good filly. Mike and Eileen have been talking of sending her to France later in the year. She’s in a Group Three in Ireland – but with the restrictions, we’re not sure how that will pan out.

“She’s different to anything I’ve ever had. Nathan Moscrop (National Hunt jockey) rides her at home, because she’s very keen. She’s just class.

“Obviously she works on her own. We take her to Chris Grant’s gallop a bit, which is a steep hill, and she’s the only horse I’ve seen quicken up it. She’s very good.”

Hollie Doyle has made a flying start to her spell as retained jockey for owner Imad Al Sagar, and registered another success when Breath Of Joy (100-30 favourite) won the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap.

Stiffer tasks may now await Amy Murphy’s filly, after she took her record to two from three this season.

“There was plenty of pace in the race,” said Murphy.