Overview
- As of Friday the July Cup is set for Saturday at Newmarket with 11 final declarations listed and Venetian Sun declared but subject to a morning course walk before a final call.
- Trainer Karl Burke flagged that Venetian Sun briefly showed signs of being in season earlier in the week and said that will be monitored when the team inspects the track on race day.
- Connections want to avoid 'lightning fast' ground and have asked Newmarket staff and their own team to assess watering and firmness to protect the filly’s welfare.
- Market movement has tightened at the head of the betting with Japanese raider Satono Reve joining Venetian Sun as a co-leader and several Royal Ascot Group 1 winners remaining in the field.
- If withdrawn, Venetian Sun’s owners have alternative targets this autumn such as the Prix Maurice de Gheest, Haydock’s Sprint Cup and the Breeders’ Cup, and a three‑year‑old filly winning the July Cup would be a rare feat.