Venetian Sun set for Moyglare bid, ground permitting

Venetian Sun will bid to round off what has been a faultless juvenile campaign so far in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday, ground permitting.

The daughter of Starman has been the undoubted star of the fillies’ juvenile division this season, with a low-key debut win at Carlisle followed by a trio of notable triumphs in the Albany at Royal Ascot, the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket and a Group One against the boys in the Prix Morny.

She steps up to seven furlongs for this first time on day two of the Irish Champions Festival and connections are hoping she can extend her unbeaten record to five in a race her trainer won with Fallen Angel two years ago.

“She’s in great form. She’s been absolutely fabulous and the one thing about her is she is taking her racing really, really well,” said Sean Graham, racing manager to co-owner Tony Bloom, who like Burke will not want to see conditions turn testing.

“That’s why Karl has run her as many times as he has – it’s four times – because she keeps taking her racing so well.

“She’s in great form at home – win, lose or draw, this is probably her final race of this year.

“She’s been a great servant and we’ll just keep our fingers crossed.”

If Venetian Sun is given the go-ahead, she is unlikely to have things all her own way, with Silver Flash and Debutante Stakes heroine Composing one of three runners for Aidan O’Brien as he chases an 11th Moyglare success.

O’Brien said: “Composing is a lovely filly who has done everything we have asked of her. She stays very well and was very impressive the last day. She’s gone through all the different stages and we’re looking forward to her.”

The juvenile colts gets their chance to shine at the highest level in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, with O’Brien’s Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad the hot favourite after pushing Venetian Sun close at Deauville three weeks ago.

“Gstaad will love seven furlongs,” said O’Brien. “He went to France but it was a little bit early, he came back heavier than he went so he’s going to be very comfortable at seven, he always was.

“He’s a fair horse, he stays, he’s quick – he’s a big, hardy horse and you could see him going through the line at Deauville.”

The Ballydoyle handler also saddles Italy and Dorset, his son Joseph runs North Coast and there are two unbeaten challengers from Britain in Charlie Appleby’s Saba Desert and Zavateri from Eve Johnson Houghton’s yard.

Zavateri has won the July Stakes at Newmarket and the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood this summer and his trainer is looking forward to testing his powers in Group One company.

She said: “I’m going into the lion’s den and of course there is a bit of trepidation, but I’m looking forward to it.

“I’m very confident in my horse’s ability so we will see how he gets on. His form has been franked and he’s in really good form, so we’re really hopeful.”