Dubai World Cup: Roger Varian has high hopes on Postponed, Itilaaq

The trainer looks to cement winning relationship with owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid.

Postponed represents a strong chance for Newmarket trainer, Roger Varian to land a first victory on Dubai World Cup night when he contests the Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup day. Credit: Dubai Racing Club/Neville HopwoodShow less

DUBAI // In a short space of time Roger Varian has become a key player on the international stage and Postponed and Itilaaq could confirm his position at the top table at Meydan on Saturday.

Varian has five seasons at the helm of Kremlin House Stables in Newmarket under his belt, but last September he received a huge boost when Sheikh Mohammed Obaid transferred around 35 horses across Britain’s racing headquarters from the stables of Luca Cumani to Varian’s base.

Postponed, who won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, was the flagship horse and after his fluent win in the Dubai City Of Gold at Meydan three weeks ago, he will line up on Saturday under Andrea Atzeni as the favourite for the $US6million (Dh22m) Dubai Sheema Classic.

A win would seal the association between trainer and owner, who is not expected to be present, but Varian has already formed a burgeoning relationship with his patron who is expecting to significantly increase the size of his string over the next few seasons.

“I have a very close relationship with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid – he does not have a racing manager so we speak very regularly,” Varian said.

“Since I have taken over his string of horses he has been a pleasure to deal with – he never puts me under pressure and gives me a lot of confidence. We have a lot of horses to talk about.”

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Varian believes that Postponed has had the perfect preparation and the clash with the in-form Japanese Guineas and Derby winner Duramente will be one to savour, especially with Aidan O’Brien’s international streetfighter Highland Reel, who cleared quarantine on Thursday morning, also in the equation.

As an illustration of the backing behind Varian, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid is also on the end of the phone.

Intilaaq has been tasked with landing a second Dubai Turf after Altibr in 1999 for the Minster of Finance over what would have been a tilt at the Dubai World Cup on dirt.

Varian conceded that the defection of injured reigning champion Solow had much to do with the decision to switch races this week, and Intilaaq enters the ring against Godolphin’s Tryster and Very Special, with Varian confident of a big run.

“I spoke at length to Sheikh Hamdan about which race to run in, and as always he was very helpful and we agreed the turf option looks the best option to take,” Varian said.

“Intilaaq will probably try dirt at some point in his career but for now we are confident, and we have tremendous belief in this horse.”

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