Fine Form
Venetian Sun RA – 3.05
returned to sprinting with a bang at Haydock last time out after a failed attempt to make it at a mile and she can confirm that speed is her superpower at the highest level in the Commonwealth Cup.
It has not always taken a real top-notcher to land this three-year-old six-furlong contest since its inception on the Royal Ascot roster in 2015, but this year the roll call could be adding a real star in Karl Burke’s filly.
It was easy to sympathise with the decision of connections to go for the Guineas as she had stayed on well behind Precise over seven furlongs in her final race at two in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, suggesting she could get another furlong.
But winter had clearly honed her ability to explode with a kick at the end of six furlongs, not seven, and the manner in which she did that at Haydock was something else.
Even on her two-year-old form alone, which included a win here in the Albany Stakes on fast ground and a short nose victory over Gstaad in the Group One Prix Morny over this trip, she would be of interest.
Throw in the compelling visual impression of her cruise to land the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes at the Lancashire venue in late May and it is hard to escape the feeling she could be a cut above this field.
Wathnan Racing have three hotshots in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, but
Opportunity RA – 3.40
piques interest following victory at Carlisle last time out.
William Haggas’ four-year-old, who beat St Leger runner-up and Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb last year, has improved on both of his runs this season, coming third on his seasonal reappearance over course and distance before success in Cumbria.
The Frankel gelding will go up 8lb for the two-and-a-quarter-length triumph, but the one-time Derby hopeful clearly holds a lot of ability and the rise should not stop another bold bid in Berkshire.
Connections of
Gold Digger RA – 6.10
will be keeping a close eye on how Venetian Sun gets on in earlier on the card having finished just over four lengths behind her in the Albany last year.
She had cruised into contention in that contest before looking like the sixth furlong at this stiff track stretched her stamina so the drop back to the minimum trip in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap that closes today’s card looks the right one.
Gold Digger has had just one run since, winning a novice event on the bridle at Windsor which did minimal damage to her handicap mark and sprint king Richard Spencer could not have his stable in hotter form.
Sun Goddess ra – 2.30
looked very smart when stepped up to six furlongs at the Curragh last time out, kicking five lengths clear of what looked a strong line-up. The daughter of Sioux Nation can continue trainer Aidan O’Brien’s good recent record in the Albany Stakes with a third win in five years.
Last year’s Queen Mary turned 1000 Guineas winner
True Love ra – 4.20
could spring a minor ‘in-house’ Ballydoyle surprise by upsetting the odds and stablemate Precise in the Coronation Stakes.
Ryan Moore chose Precise at Newmarket and watched True Love win then chose True Love at the Curragh in the Irish version only for Precise to take glory. That suggests there is little between them, but the selection is a much bigger price.
Glyfada ra – 5.00
might not want the ground to get too quick, but looks a filly with some potential after wins at Naas and Killarney. And the booking of the always in-demand Oisin Murphy is a positive for trainer Donnacha O’Brien in a wide-open Sandringham Stakes over the straight mile.
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