Burke: Venetian Sun facing toughest test to date

Karl Burke expects Venetian Sun to face the toughest test of her career so far in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.

While the daughter of Starman had her stamina limitations exposed over a mile in the 1000 Guineas, she has since dominated her rivals in the Sandy Lane at Haydock and followed up in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot to extend her unbeaten record over six furlongs to five.

Venetian Sun is Coral’s 2-1 favourite to add another top-level prize to her trophy cabinet this weekend, but Burke is taking nothing for granted as she prepares to take on her elders for the first time.

“She’s in great form, very happy with her. I haven’t had to be hard on her since Ascot, she did a lovely piece of work last week and we’re all set to go,” the trainer told Racing TV. “It’s probably the hardest race she’s run in so far.

“When you start taking on these older, seasoned sprinters you have to step up again, but she’s got a lot of weapons that will help her. She travels strongly, she’s very relaxed and there should be a good pace in the race with Quinault in there. He’d be an obvious one to go forward along with a couple of others, so there’ll be a good pace to aim at.”

While Venetian Sun was triumphant on a fast surface at the Royal meeting, Burke admits she is probably more effective with some ease.

He added: “I think she handles it (quick ground), but her best form was in the Sandy Lane and every time Cliff (Lee) got off her last year, even when she was winning Group Ones, he kept saying she feels the ground a little bit.

“Hopefully they’ll be watering well down there and we’ll be checking the ground through the week. As long as it’s deemed safe and suitable for her, she’ll take her chance.”

Venetian Sun is one of four Royal Ascot-winning sprinters among the 13 left in the July Cup at Monday’s confirmation stage along with Mission Central, Almeraq and Double Rush.

Aidan O’Brien’s Mission Central was gelded after a wayward debut at Dundalk but since then has won six out of eight, including the King Charles III last time out.

Almeraq came of age in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, proving he was definitely over the fall at York last season that has seen jockey Jim Crowley sidelined since. He is one of two potential runners for William Haggas along with Division, who was third to Venetian Sun in the Commonwealth Cup.

Double Rush is due to step into Group One company having progressed through the handicap ranks this season, winning the Wokingham most recently for Andrew Balding.

Satono Reve, so narrowly defeated in the last two renewals of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, will aim to give Japan a second winner in the race after Agnes World 26 years ago.

Last year’s runner-up Big Mojo is back again for Mick Appleby, Comanche Brave will represent Donnacha O’Brien with Powerful Glory, Flora Of Bermuda, Prince Of India, Coppull and Quinault completing the potential field.