Venetian Sun Tops Colts in Commonwealth Cup

Venetian Sun (IRE), the week's buzz horse for many horseplayers, justified the confidence by landing the Commonwealth Cup Stakes (G1) as the 11-8 favorite. The 3-year-old filly, so spectacular in victory at Haydock Park last time out in the Sandy Lane Stakes (G2), was workmanlike on this occasion as she narrowly edged 50-1 shot Spicy Marg (GB), another filly, to win by a head although in truth Venetian Sun under Clifford Lee in the stretch always looked like she would prevail. With the victory in the 6-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds (no geldings), Venetian Sun, winner of last year's Prix Morny (G1), adds a group 1 win at 3. The daughter of Starman (GB) completed the race in 1:12.08 on good-to-firm ground in the field of 22. Division (GB) was back in third with Havana Anna (GB) taking the fourth spot. Outfielder, who entered off a victory in the William Walker Stakes last month at Churchill Downs for trainer Wesley Ward, raced prominently early but weakened in the final furlong and finished 10th. Jockey Lee, whose career has been massively boosted by his partnership with Venetian Sun, oozed confidence throughout. After tracking the leaders, he produced Venetian Sun to lead inside the final furlong and, although outsider Spicy Marg massively outran her odds to produce an exciting finish, the winner scored with a bit in hand. Tony Bloom, who owns the winner in partnership with Ian McAleavy, said: "Venetian Sun is very special. To get any group 1 winner is incredible. It was really close. I'm delighted for the horse, happy for Clifford, and thrilled for Karl (Burke). What a horse." Lee, who knows the filly so well, said: "It's fantastic. She got me my first group 1 in France last year and it's a pleasure to ride her. It's all about these big days. I'm delighted." Bookmaker Paddy Power reacted to the victory by cutting Venetian Sun's July Cup Stakes (G1) odds to 5-2 favorite (from 9-2). There is no doubt trainer Karl Burke will pursue a sprint campaign with Venetian Sun for the rest of the year after a tilt at the One Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1) ended in failure. "It's a relief," Burke said of the win. "We haven't had the best of weeks. We came here thinking we had a huge team of strong chances, but others have been stronger. Venetian Sun was the one we were banking on. Thankfully she's done it. She's a superstar filly, so relaxed. "You wouldn't think she's had a race looking at her in the winner's enclosure. She's unbeaten at sprint trips and the July Cup is likely to be her next race, with Haydock in September after that." Venetian Sun has won six of her eight starts, along with a third-place finish, to power earnings of $1,127,703. She also won last year's Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (G2) at Newmarket Racecourse and finished third in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) at the Curragh. Bred in Ireland by Tally-Ho Stud, Venetian Sun is out of the winning, stakes-placed Iffraaj mare Johara, who also has produced stakes-placed Sir Yoshi.