South African champion Variety Club’s future is still hanging in the balance even though the dual Horse of the Year has made a complete recovery from his leg problem.
Derek Brugman, owner Markus Jooste’s racing manager, said: “Variety Club had a minor leg injury and some of the reports that came out have been a little misconstrued.
“We didn’t want to take any risks – he is too valuable for that – and he has recovered well and is in good shape. The vets are confident there won’t be any hassles about racing him again.
“However it meant we put aside our plans for the rest of this year – the Prix de la Foret and Breeders’ Cup.“We are now looking at our options which are basically retiring him to stud or racing him for another year.
“We will look at the timing and races and if they don’t fit in with our plans, then he will go to stud.”Meanwhile Majmu, the champion two-year-old filly of last season, could make her seasonal debut on October 4 in the G2 Joburg Spring Fillies & Mares Challenge over 1450m at Turffontein.
She has drawn No 10 and looks likely to start from a single-figure stall should trainer Mike de Kock allow her to put her unbeaten record on the line in her first start since winning the Fillies Nursery in April.Wide draws hinder the chances of No Worries and Whiteline Fever if they run on the same day in the male division of the Spring Challenge.
They are the two top-rated runners for the weight-for-age race, the official preparatory event for the Charity Mile on November 1, but have drawn next to each other at Nos 18 and 19 respectively.Rake’s Chestnut, who is rated two points inferior to them, also drew wide at No 16.
