Variety Club rebounds to wire Godolphin Mile

Variety Club repelled Soft Falling Rain (striped cap) in a clash of South African stars (Neville Hopwood/Dubai Racing Club)

South Africa’s two-time Horse of the Year Variety Club rebounded from an
upset loss in the March 8 Burj Nahaar, and overcame post 14, to lead throughout
in Saturday’s Group 2, $1 million Godolphin Mile at Meydan. Under a textbook
ride by Anton Marcus, the Joey Ramsden charge rolled right to the front and
rebuffed a challenge from defending champion Soft Falling Rain, capping a
one-two for South Africa.

“To come here to compete means a lot, but to win is something special,”
Ramsden said. “Anton gave him a fantastic ride, and he got into a soft lead, and
this gives me so much pleasure and all of South Africa. It may take a while to
sink in.” 

Campaigned by Mrs. I. Jooste and M.J. Jooste, Variety Club had turned in a
dazzling wire-to-wire victory in his Dubai debut in the February 13 Firebreak
Stakes. He didn’t show the same flair second time out in the Burj Nahaar, where
he forced the pace set by Capital Attraction before being passed late by Shuruq.

The complexion of the Godolphin Mile changed right at the break when Capital
Attraction got off awkwardly and found himself uncharacteristically at the back
early. Variety Club took full advantage to stride forward, and the 5-2 favorite had a remarkably
easy time of angling all the way over toward the inside. Compatriot Soft Falling
Rain tracked in second, and tried to threaten down the lane.

Flotilla (far left) steamed home fastest of all, but might still be retired to become a broodmare (Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club)

Flotilla was the only closer to make an impact. Rallying furiously in deep
stretch, the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and 2013 Poule d’Essai des
Pouliches heroine came within a nose of depriving Soft Falling Rain of second.

“She has run very well,” trainer Mikel Delzangles said, “but it was a shame
that they slowed down the pace and that she had to come on the outside, it’s
difficult to do on this track. I don’t know if she stays in training or goes to
stud.”

Next came Gold City; Japan’s Brightline; Limario; Elleval; Shuruq, who was
unable to offer the winning kick so evident in the Maktoum Challenge Round 1 and
Burj Nahaar; Eastern Rules; Haatheq; Gabrial; Mull of Killough; Glory Awaits;
Penitent; and Capital Attraction. Forjatt was withdrawn after coming up lame.

Shuruq might have been feeling the effects of her productive Carnival,
according to jockey Silvestre de Sousa.

“She wasn’t really traveling that well. That’s the fourth race she’s had over
here (this season),” de Sousa. “I couldn’t make any ground.”