The Joey Ramsden trained Variety Club, showed just why his trainer calls him one of the best three year olds in the country as he stepped up to win the R300 000 Grade 2 Selangor Cup(1600m) in commanding fashion.
Anton Marcus clearly knew what he was sitting on and controlled the race beautifully on the son of speed sire Var.
Variety Club flew out as the gates open and led briefly before Lord Paramount took over the running.
Marcus was content to settle Variety Club into third and the colt bowled along happily as the field sorted themselves out. Joint favourites Liancourt Rock(AUS) and Gimmethegreenlight(AUS) raced midfield, with another Ramsden runner, Silver Haven, bringing up the rear.
As the field fanned out at the 300m mark, Karl Nesius asked Liancourt Rock to move closer to the action, but the Fastnet Rock colt was slow in responding. Meanwhile Variety Club and Gimmethegreenlight had set off for home and a protracted duel up the home straight followed.
Neither horse was giving an inch, but Variety Club was clearly superior on the day and managed to keep ahead of Gimmethegreenlight by 0.3L. Liancourt Rock kept going to finish clear of the chasing pack, three lengths behind the leaders, with stable companion Depardieu back in fourth a further 2.75L back.
Ramsden commented that even he was surprised at how well he had turned Variety Club out and even more surprised at how well the colt cantered down.
“A lovely big horse with a lot of scope and bred with a lot of speed. He has gone from strength to strength. It was an epic battle with Gimmethegreenlight and I am looking forward to the Guineas” he added.
“I cannot wait for the Guineas” added Marcus.
Variety Club was bred by Beaumont Stud from the Secret Prospector mare La Massine. The colt recorded his fifth win from eight starts for owners Mrs Ingrid Jooste and Mr Markus Jooste.
