Spencer happy to play waiting game with ‘exciting' Gold Digger
An impressive winner at Yarmouth on debut, Richard Spencer's exciting daughter of Starman was not disgraced when beaten just over four lengths at the Royal meeting and that form looks strong, with the winner Venetian Sun subsequently landing the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket and the fourth home Fitzella striking gold in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
However, immediate plans are on hold for Gold Digger, with connections eager to take a patient approach with a filly Spencer describes as 'one of the best we've had for a while'.
'The form is very good but she had a little niggle after Ascot so she won't be out anytime shortly,' said the trainer.
'Whether we can get her back out in the autumn I don't know, but we won't be rushing her because she's very talented.
'She will be a three-year-old so we're not going to rush to get her back just for this year, so we'll mind her and if we have to, wait until next year.'
On plans for her return, Spencer added: 'If anything we will be dropping back to five furlongs to start off with then potentially stepping back up to six, but she's got so much speed. She got quicker from her Yarmouth debut to the Albany, so she'll be going five I would say wherever she goes.
'She won't run until she says she's ready and we won't be rushing, but she's exciting though and probably one of the best we've had for a while.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
6 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Venetian Sun on course for Prix Morny before stepping up in trip
The unbeaten two-year-old followed in the footsteps of former Spigot Lodge inmate Dandalla when backing up Albany Stakes success in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and with the form of both races looking red-hot, connections are justified in aiming sky high with their talented daughter of Starman. 'She's a very high-class filly and we're aiming her at the Morny,' said Burke. 'If everything is as it should be at that stage going into the race – we'll have a good opposition at the time – then she will probably go there.' Owned by Brighton & Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom along with Ian McAleavy, Venetian Sun is sure to move up in trip in a bid to replicate Burke's Fallen Angel at the Curragh in the Moyglare Stud Stakes on September 14. But before that, the exciting youngster is being prepared to head to Deauville on August 17, where she has the chance to join the Middleham handler's 2017 winner Unfortunately on the Morny roll of honour. 'If we don't go to the Morny we will go straight to the Moyglare and all being well if she does take in the Morny, she will then go on to the Curragh and the Moyglare over seven as well,' continued Burke. 'We're very keen to step her up to seven, but the Morny is too big a prize to leave behind and it will be very interesting to see who stands their ground for the race and at the moment it's what she is being trained for. 'She came out of Newmarket bouncing fresh and she has just started picking up her work and we're ready to build her up for the Morny.'
Powys County Times
7 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Venetian Sun on course for Prix Morny before stepping up in trip
Karl Burke is keen for Venetian Sun to have one final outing at six furlongs in the Prix Morny before she steps up in distance later in the campaign. The unbeaten two-year-old followed in the footsteps of former Spigot Lodge inmate Dandalla when backing up Albany Stakes success in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and with the form of both races looking red-hot, connections are justified in aiming sky high with their talented daughter of Starman. 'She's a very high-class filly and we're aiming her at the Morny,' said Burke. 'If everything is as it should be at that stage going into the race – we'll have a good opposition at the time – then she will probably go there.' Owned by Brighton & Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom along with Ian McAleavy, Venetian Sun is sure to move up in trip in a bid to replicate Burke's Fallen Angel at the Curragh in the Moyglare Stud Stakes on September 14. But before that, the exciting youngster is being prepared to head to Deauville on August 17, where she has the chance to join the Middleham handler's 2017 winner Unfortunately on the Morny roll of honour. 'If we don't go to the Morny we will go straight to the Moyglare and all being well if she does take in the Morny, she will then go on to the Curragh and the Moyglare over seven as well,' continued Burke. 'We're very keen to step her up to seven, but the Morny is too big a prize to leave behind and it will be very interesting to see who stands their ground for the race and at the moment it's what she is being trained for. 'She came out of Newmarket bouncing fresh and she has just started picking up her work and we're ready to build her up for the Morny.'
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Prince William and Kate's 'intelligent' Princess Charlotte plan after Harry issue
It's recently been claimed that the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to raise their three young children in a way that tries to avoid the "emotionally stunted pitfalls" of the past Prince William and Kate Middleton may have a plan to help Princess Charlotte avoid a pitfall suffered by her uncle, Prince Harry, it has been claimed. William and Charlotte were seen last month (Sunday, July 27) enjoying the Lionesses' triumph at the Women's Euro 2025 final at St Jakob‐Park in Basel, Switzerland. One expert suggests that Charlotte's presence at the match indicates a new approach to an age-old issue concerning Royal siblings. This problem has allegedly affected Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, and even Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth's late sister. It revolves around the concept of the "spare" Royal who feels "overlooked and purposeless". In an article for the I, royal commentator Richard Palmer suggested that the Waleses are keen to prevent any one child from receiving preferential treatment, thereby sidestepping the "spare" issue. He elaborated: "In a Royal Family traditionally focused on the need to create an heir to the throne, and then a spare just in case something goes wrong, the Waleses want their children to have emotional security instead of giving special treatment to the chosen one." The parents, in contrast to King Charles, are prioritising their children over Royal duties. Furthermore, Royal insiders informed Richard that Charlotte "has inherited her mother's poise and an inner strength and confidence". The decision to bring her to witness the Lionesses ' Euros triumph could signal preparation for her future role. American Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith suggests the young princess could well undertake official duties on behalf of the sovereign in this so-called "slimmed-down" Royal Family, potentially involving sports. She told the i Paper: "I think this is an intelligent way to do it. I would imagine Charlotte will be part of the picture. I'm not so sure about Louis." The phrase "Spare" will likely strike a chord with Royal observers as it served as the title of Harry's explosive 2023 memoir. In the book, Harry shocked the world by revealing private details about his relatives. Subsequent reports suggested that these disclosures had probably damaged the Duke of Sussex's bond with his family, particularly his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William. Harry famously withdrew from his royal duties and relocated to Montecito, California, alongside his wife, former actress Meghan Markle, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Last week, rumours emerged that the Prince and Princess of Wales may relocate from Adelaide Cottage to a new residence at Fort Belvedere on Windsor's Home Park Estate. However, Hello's Royal editor, Emily Nash, remains rather doubtful about these claims, observing that she'd been informed "they've been very happy" at Adelaide Cottage. She mentioned they were: "Enjoying precious time together as a family of five, with no live-in staff and with easy access to Lambrook, the Berkshire school attended by Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis." However, she didn't dismiss the possibility of a future relocation, noting that William, with his substantial Duchy of Cornwall funds, could easily purchase a property. Indeed, Emily pointed out there's a "precedent" for such a move, citing examples like the late Queen gifting Gatcombe Park to Anne, Sunninghill Park to Andrew, and Bagshot Park to Edward.
