Venetian Sun team weighing up Deauville run

The Prix Maurice de Gheest remains a possibility for Venetian Sun – despite a cut that has kept the star sprinter on the easy list since her brave effort in defeat in the July Cup.

Karl Burke’s daughter of Starman narrowly failed to chase down Comanche Brave when attempting to follow up Commonwealth Cup glory at Newmarket earlier this month, but the Spigot Lodge handler immediately signposted a trip to Deauville on August 9 as the likely next port of call.

However, there will be no risks taken with the dual Royal Ascot heroine, who has many other high-ranking assignments scheduled for later in the season – including Haydock’s Sprint Cup in early September and Ascot’s marquee end-of-season finale, British Champions Day.

Sean Graham, racing manager to Tony Bloom, who owns the filly alongside Ian McAleavy, said: “She gave herself a bit of a nick on one of her legs and it was just an awkward place to get to, so she’s had a couple of easy days since, but it’s not something that is going to stop her.

“It’s nothing to get worried about or concerned about, but she will probably have to work next week if we want to go France as that is a fortnight this Sunday.

“It will be a case of not rushing her and if we feel the race is coming a bit too quick then we can wait for Haydock.

“If she does manage to gallop and does work well then there’s every opportunity to go. It’s a bit up in the air at the minute and there’s no firm decision been made.”

Venetian Sun has won six of her nine starts with her July course reversal her first defeat when competing over her optimum six furlongs.

It was a race her participation was in doubt for prior to the contest, with connections expressing concern about the prospect of very fast ground and conditions could also play a deciding factor on whether she returns to a track where she took top honours in the Prix Morny last term.

“We’ll also like to look at the ground as well and we wouldn’t want to give her another race on quick ground,” continued Graham.

“That’s one reason why Haydock and Ascot in September and October are very appealing as you can tend to get ground on the easy side and they are two tracks we know she really acts at.”