Venetian Sun set to be challenged in G1 Commonwealth Cup
Venetian Sun will be a popular choice to reach the winning post ahead of her 21 declared rivals in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup (1200m), the first of two Royal Ascot Group 1s on Friday.
A cosmopolitan battalion of proven international three-year-old speedsters will seek to end Venetian Sun’s unbeaten sequence of five victories over sprint trips (1000m-1200m), but it is likely to take a tremendous effort on their part, especially given the way the filly toyed with her rivals in last month’s Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes (1200m) at Haydock.
Another big plus for the Karl Burke-trained, Clifford Lee-ridden daughter of Starman is that her only previous visit to Ascot saw her defeat 16 two-year-old rivals in the Group 3 Albany Stakes over this course and distance a year ago.
Venetian Sun is at the top of the markets with racing betting sites, priced at 2.50 to win, with Albert Einstein (7.50) and Division (11.00) the next best.
“She is unbelievable and does everything so relaxed. She has come out of that Haydock race really well. She is a superstar and we go to Ascot full of confidence,” Burke said.
Those looking in a different direction might focus on Division, a three-length second to Venetian Sun at Haydock. Division saw a lot of daylight then and led around 400m out but is likely to be launched later by James Doyle this time than he was that day, and on a surface expected to be favourably quicker than at Haydock.
Fast ground will also be a major bonus for Oisin Murphy’s mount Zanthos, as well as the drop to the sprinting trip that she is bred for, and she is likely to be a more formidable filly than the one who made little impact on deep ground in the Group 1 French 1000 Guineas (Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, 1600m) last month at ParisLongchamp.
Albert Einstein was once described by Aidan O’Brien as “as fast a horse as we’ve seen work”, and though setbacks and defeats have taken the shine off that lofty reputation, it is possible that we haven’t seen the best of Ryan Moore’s mount, given the regard he has been held in by his trainer.
And given O’Brien’s continued rampant form – and not only with his most obvious contenders – Charles Darwin (Wayne Lordan), who is fitted with first-time blinkers, and Brussels (Ronan Whelan), with a first-time tongue strap and cheekpieces, both warrant respect.
Campanelle won this race for US trainer Wesley Ward in 2021, and the Keeneland-based trainer has targeted Outfielder at this prize, while Francis-Henri Graffard will be hoping for a first French-trained Commonwealth Cup winner in its 11-year history with either Samangan (Mickael Barzalona) or Kimi Rey (Clement Lecoeuvre).
Precise was a brilliant two-year-old who had a troubled preparation for the Group 1 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Newmarket. That proved her downfall, but O’Brien promptly delivered her bang on her best for the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas (1600m) at the Curragh when she swept past long-striding stablemate True Love, who had been so impressive when winning the Newmarket Classic. A fascinating third clash between the two is on the agenda in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes (1600m).
The Royal Ascot Carnival is the no.1 event on the UK horse racing calendar, with it featuring many of the best horses in the world, and great prestige.
