 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Venetian Sun justified her position as market leader with a sparkling debut victory in the fillies' novice stakes at Carlisle, announcing herself as a serious contender for Royal Ascot.
The impressive 240,000gns (US$327,600) purchase showed glimpses of inexperience but still comfortably dispatched her rivals under Clifford Lee, winning by a length and a half from previous winner Argentine Tango.
Karl Burke was full of praise for his exciting juvenile prospect after her successful racecourse introduction.
"She probably deserved to be odds-on, she's a beautiful filly," the trainer told Racing TV. "She's worked very well, and this is the first time she's been off the bridle, so there's loads of improvement in her.
"Cliff gave her a lovely ride and he said he ended up hitting the front too soon and she was just dossing about a bit in front. It's just green and she'll learn loads from that."
The winner is now being aimed at the Gr.3 Albany Stakes over six furlongs rather than the shorter Queen Mary at the Royal meeting next month.
"It was a very good race for the grade, and I would say she's very, very useful," Burke added. "If she goes to Royal Ascot, it will be the Albany I would think, she's a real six-furlong filly."
Burke and Lee strengthened their impressive partnership when completing a double with Flame Of Forest in the seven-furlong novice.
Meanwhile, trainer Brian Rothwell celebrated his first winner of 2025 when Opal Storm prevailed by a short-head in a thrilling photo-finish for the five-furlong handicap under jockey Aiden Brookes, securing her second victory at the Cumbrian venue.