Drying ground would aid Night Raider claims in Temple Stakes
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Thu 21 May 2026
Karl Burke will walk the track at Haydock on Friday before giving Night Raider the all-clear for Saturday’s William Hill Temple Stakes.
Having run in the 2000 Guineas two years ago, the Wathnan Racing-owned five-year-old was gelded over the winter and looked a sprinter going places when blitzing his rivals in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket over five furlongs.
That was on good to firm ground, though, with many clock-watchers believing it to be even quicker than that. The ground at Haydock has been soft after a wet week, but temperatures are due to rise.
“There would be a slight doubt, I don’t think I’d want the ground too soft for him,” said Burke. “The only time he encountered real heavy ground was at Newmarket as a three-year-old. He didn’t perform at all that day, although he went very quick.
“I’ll be at Haydock and I’ll walk the track. As long as it keeps drying, I’d say good to soft should be fine for him, but as I say, there is a question mark on his participation.”
Burke also provides one of the favourites for the William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes in Prix Morny winner Venetian Sun, who ran in the 1000 Guineas first time out this season.
“We think coming back down in trip is going to be more of her thing. We’ll find out on Saturday, but she looks in great shape,” said Burke, speaking on a media call organised by the Jockey Club.
“She definitely didn’t stay in the Guineas. I’m not saying she’d have won at seven furlongs, so maybe she didn’t run up to her total best, but she’s come out of the race in great shape. We’re very happy with her.
“Her work at home has shown us she’s still got plenty of ability, but they’ve got to go and prove it on the track. But she’s strengthened and she still looks a powerful filly. She did at two as well.
“She stood out in the paddock at two and I think she’ll stand out in the paddock again on Saturday.”
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