Venetian Sun team to make late call over Maurice de Gheest

A decision will be made next week on Venetian Sun’s Prix Maurice de Gheest participation after the cut she picked up when a game second in the July Cup slightly halted preparations for a trip to Deauville.

Karl Burke’s speedy daughter of Starman has excelled once again this term, backing up Sandy Lane Stakes victory at Haydock with a second win at Royal Ascot when landing the Commonwealth Cup.

She narrowly failed to keep that run going at Newmarket with the Spigot Lodge handler immediately highlighting a trip to France for their summer sprint feature. However, an upcoming piece of work could prove crucial in ultimately deciding if that mission goes ahead.

Burke said: “Everything is good but it was just a little nick underneath the joint in an area where if we kept exercising her, and that joint is obviously moving, if the cut doesn’t heal properly then it can cause more problems.

“It wasn’t a big cut, but it was enough to have to wrap her up for four or five days and let her heal properly before she started exercising. She missed a week’s worth, but she’s quite a clean-winded filly and she’ll do a piece of work on Friday and then I’ll be back (from Goodwood) to see her do a good piece on Tuesday before we decide if we go or not.”

Also sure to play a factor is the ground, with connections sounding another warning about the potential of lightning fast summer conditions, something that was also a slight cause for concern prior to the July Cup.

If Deauville comes off the agenda, Venetian Sun could divert to Haydock’s Sprint Cup in early September, a venue Burke is also eyeing for another of his star fillies, Fallen Angel.

“We’ll also keep an eye on the ground as well and they’re definitely not watering as much as they once did in France. So ground would be a concern as well, but apart from this she’s in great shape,” he said.

“It was a really good run albeit she got beat at Newmarket and I think with any cut in the ground she’ll find another couple of lengths on those horses.

“The Prix Maurice de Gheest is another half-furlong and I think she’ll get it, but that’s another slight question mark. We’ll make a decision next week and it might be we decide to wait for Haydock, then there is Champions Day and maybe Breeders’ Cup.”

He went on “I’m hoping Haydock goes ahead and Fallen Angel might go back there for the Listed race (Dick Hern Stakes) on their first weekend back (August 8).”

France may also be calling for Burke’s Zeus Olympios provided George Boughey does not to elect to quickly back up Sussex Stakes hero Bow Echo in the Prix Jacques le Marois.

Unbeaten heading into this season, the talented son of Night Of Thunder returned to winning ways in Ascot’s Summer Mile, with his team now eager to make the move back up to Group One level.

“I’m hoping Zeus will go for the Prix Jacques le Marois,” said Burke, with both Zeus Olympios and Bow Echo running in the colours of the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid.

“I’ll have to speak to George, we’ve sent Ice Max down there to him to lead Bow Echo in his last few pieces of work before the Sussex Stakes and I know he was quite keen to back his fellow up in two weeks, but hopefully he doesn’t and we can run Zeus.”