Commonwealth Cup
Group 1, Ascot 15:40 £700,000 guaranteed, 3yo, 6f, Class 1
Tweet Friday 19th June 2026

Venetian Sun thrust herself into Commonwealth Cup favouritism with a dominant victory in a disrupted renewal of the William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.

Shining brightly! ☀️

Venetian Sun wins the William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes 🥇#ITVRacing | @karl_burke | @CliffordleexLee pic.twitter.com/h0OrfGFTBR

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 23, 2026

The Group Two was delayed and switched to the inner track after a hole was discovered on the outside course, with ironic cheers greeting the eventual opening of the stalls before attention quickly turned to Karl Burke’s exciting filly.

Travelling strongly under Clifford Lee, Venetian Sun eased into contention before quickening clear inside the final furlong to beat Division by a length, with Lee barely having to move in the saddle.

“That looked super impressive. I told Cliff to ride her with confidence and he gave her a brilliant ride.

“He sat still until the furlong marker and I don’t think he even needed the whip.

“She’s just a naturally gifted filly and she’ll head straight to the Commonwealth Cup.”

Venetian Sun was cut sharply for Royal Ascot following the display, while one of her likely rivals will head there fresh after bypassing Haydock altogether.

Clive Cox elected to withdraw Coppull from the Sandy Lane after the switch to the inside track, with the Pavilion Stakes winner now set to head directly to Ascot.

“I’m really happy with him and he’s in a very good place to go straight to Ascot,” said Cox.

“When they switched the race back to the inside track it was unsuitable for the conditions we were looking for and it was a simple decision to make him a non-runner.

“He’s in excellent form and we’re more than happy to go straight back to Ascot.”

Another horse to strengthen her Commonwealth Cup claims was Havana Anna, who advertised her credentials with victory in the Group Three Goffs Lacken Stakes at Naas.

Donnacha O’Brien’s filly, runner-up to subsequent 1000 Guineas heroine True Love in the Cheveley Park Stakes last season, showed plenty of determination to claim her third course success.

Last off the bridle in a tightly-contested finish, Havana Anna dug deep to deny outsider Oh Cecelia by a head after market leader Charles Darwin faded out of contention.

“I’m delighted with her,” said O’Brien.

“I thought there was plenty to work on today and I think she’ll improve a lot for that.

“We’ll head for the Commonwealth now all being well. She deserves a crack at a big one.”

Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)
£700,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 6f, Class 1
56 entries
Going:

(Form as of May 24)

COMMONWEALTH CUP WINNERS