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Variety Club, a three year old colt by speed sire Var, made the most of his weight advantage as he easily accounted for the R200 000 Grade 3 Matchem Stakes (1400m) at the country course of Durbanville in the Cape on Sunday.

While the race saw a number of top class horses start their summer season, the Joey Ramsden trained colt stripped fittest despite a three month layoff. Ramsden confirmed that the colt had been working on the treadmill prior to his start and although not at his peak, he had expected a good run.

Variety Club jumped well and the experienced Glenn Hatt settled the colt behind Cap Alright, with Master Barry and Run For It on the rails. Favourite Depardieu settled midfield, six lengths off the leaders and Splash Gold brought up the rear of the field.

Coming to the 300m mark, Cap Alright cried enough, as Variety Club moved through to take the lead. Run For it mounted a challenge along the inside rail and Depardieu came wide to chase up the outside, but Variety Club held the lead comfortably, crossing the line 2.25 lengths in front.

Run For It finished in second, with Depardieu a further half a length back in third. The Shark (ZIM) came flying up late to take fourth and is one to follow at his next outing.

Trainer Joey Ramsden was well pleased with the colt's efforts. “He was not fully wound up and there is room for improvement. He is a smashing horse and he settles well. He looks like he can get a mile and he has a great turn of foot as well.”

“He is a racehorse. I have rated him from the beginning. He is learning to relax which helps as you can switch him off and place him. He is a real racehorse” added jockey Glenn Hatt.

Despite showing solid form as a two year old with 6 starts for 3 wins and two places, including a win in the Grade 3 Langerman (1500m), the colt was allowed to start at generous odds of 6/1. Variety Club is out of the Secret Prospector mare La Massine and is owned by Mrs I Jooste and Mr M J Jooste.

Final Race Results:

No Horse Jockey Kg Dist Time SP

11 VARIETY CLUB Glen Hatt 53.5 0.00 84.68 6/1

2 RUN FOR IT Richard Fourie 60.0 2.25 85.10 4/1

10 DEPARDIEU Felix Coetzee 53.5 2.75 85.19 22/10

6 THE SHARK (ZIM) Gerrit Schlechter 60.0 2.95 85.23 13/1

8 MASTER BARRY Grant Van Niekerk *0.0 60.0 6.45 85.89 15/1

1 SPLASH GOLD Andrew Fortune 60.0 6.95 85.98 15/2