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In the end it all looked so easy as a three race mission culminating in victory in the Grade 1 Cape Yearling Sales Guineas at Kenilworth on Saturday was accomplished.
As trainer Joey Ramsden commented, he does not always get it right, but this time the plan came together beautifully as crack three-year-old colt, Variety Club, dominated the race to become Ramsden's first Guineas winner.
Photo by Liesl King
After winning the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes(1400m), and then the Grade 2 Selangor Cup(1600m) in a decisive manner, all that was left for the son of speed sire Var was to add the Grade 1 Guineas to his trophy collection.
Ramsden planned the race meticulously with The Balladeer entered as a pacemaker to ensure a true run race. Variety Club was quickest away, but Anton Marcus soon tucked the colt into second as The Balladeer came forward to take the lead.
From there it was game over as Variety Club cruised along, with Marcus in complete control. At the 200m mark, Marcus unleashed the colt and he quickly pulled clear by a couple of lengths.
Silver Flyer(Silvano) and Princess Victoria(Victory Moon) chased hard, but it was a lost cause as Variety Club extended his lead under a hands and heels ride to win by 3.25L from Silver Flyer with Princess Victoria a length back in third.
Photo by Liesl King
Luckless Gimmethegreenlight(AUS) continued his run of placings, finishing a further 1.5L back in fourth and trainer Justin Snaith must be wondering what he must do to get the imposing son of More Than Ready back into the number one box.
Ramsden paid tribute to Variety Club saying that he was a top horse and that he hoped that the colt had now answered all the questions. No future plans are in the offing yet, but a crack at the Grade 1 Investec Derby(2000m) is not out of the question he added.
Photo by Liesl King
Variety Club, by Var out of the Secret Prospector mare La Massine, won in a time of 99.61 seconds to take his career record to six wins and two places from nine starts and his earnings to R1,145,860 for owners Ingrid and Marcus Jooste.
ENDS