4.30 Meydan

Mars (Soumillon up), another highly-rated four-year-old formerly raced by Coolmore and purchased last year by Mary Slack, Bernard Kantor and Larry Nestadt, takes on Variety Club in the Firebreak Stakes over 1600m (see Joey Ramsden’s Variety Club comments).   Mike commented:  “Mars is doing very well, he’s a horse to be followed, but we don’t expect him to beat Variety Club.  Mars is, after all, only a one-time winner and although he’s done well at Group 1 level , he comes off a rest and we’d be delighted if he can earn place money.”

Mike is effectively training Variety Club and Joey Ramsden arrived in Meydan on Monday.

Ramsden told mikedekockracing.com on Tuesday afrternoon: “It’s all systems go for Variety Club. He’s had a marvellous preparation and he hasn’t missed a day’s work. Nothing appears to have gone wrong and touchwood it all comes together in the race.”
While Variety Club seems to have taken very well to the all-weather track in some impressive exercise work, Ramsden pointed out that there is a natural concern whether his work will carry through into the race itself.
“The track is our one worry. We know that there are any number of horses who work well on tapeta while being prepared, but don’t perform in the pressure of an actual race. Of course there are others who do reproduce their work on this surface and we’re hoping it will be smooth sailing for Variety Club. He’s well, he’s enjoying himself and it’s been a pleasure being here and sharing this build-up with Mike and his team.”

DOG

your lays keep me in profit thankfully twatser.....

good grief......

oh be the hokey!