Will draw beat Variety Club?

OEY Ramsden admitted the superb gate speed of Variety Club enabled him to overcome tough draws easier than most horses but he was still concerned about the Champion Var colt’s wide draw ahead of his bid to add the prestigious Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate to his ever increasing trophy collection.

“The draw stinks!” said Ramsden of the barrier 15 position, adding that even with his gate speed it would cost him “five or six lengths.”

He continued, “Looking at the draws, the man who did them appears to have handicapped the race.” Variety Club’s chief market rival Jackson has also drawn very wide.

On the plus side, Ramsden said that Variety Club had enjoyed a good preparation and was in very good shape. Another plus is that his regular pilot, champion jockey Anton Marcus, will be aboard.

JVariety Club is also a stronger and better horse than he was last year when a wide draw of ten might have been his undoing as he was unable to hold off the late charge of Gimmethegreenlight. Ramsden’s other contender Bravura has drawn well in six and will have Glen Hatt, who knows him well, aboard.

Bravura finished a 1,8 length fourth in this race last year from draw 11 with Hatt up.

Ramsden said, “He has not been sounder or in as fine a fettle since he won the Cape Derby.” That augurs well for his chances of earning a stake cheque.

Ramsden said that his Listed Breeder’s Cup Politician Stakes contender Silvano’s Jet had an excuse for his below par last start. “He finished lame,” he said. If he bounces back to his best he would have a chance from a good draw in an ultra competitive race.