2/5 favourite Postponed was beaten into second place on his seasonal reappearance in the Group Two Dubai City of Gold after he suffered a whole host of trouble in running to finish a length behind Godolphin’s 4/1 winner Prize Money, ridden by Adrie De Vries.
Returning to the track after finishing fifth in last year’s Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe, Andrea Atzeni settled the six-year-old son of Dubawi in midfield early on in the one-mile and four furlong contest.
Turning for home Sardinian-born jockey Atzeni attempted to angle out his mount to make a run towards the outside of the field. However, he was penned in by South African De Vries on Prize Money who eventually got first run on Atzeni and Postponed.
Varian’s charge stayed on well inside the final furlong on the rail to finish second but was never getting to the winner who was given an excellent ride by De Vries.
Criticism immediately focused on the ride given to Postponed by Atzeni who has struck up an excellent rapport with the Irish-bred gelding, partnering him four Group One successes.
However, Atzeni was outmanoeuvred in this event and whilst Postponed did stay on well in the closing stages, the horse also looked like he needed the run.
Varian is lining up his charge for a repeated tilt at the Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night and he drifted out for that race to around 5/2 as he attempts to record back-to-back wins in that contest.
Speaking after the race, Varian said: “It was a messy race and I think he just ran a bit rusty on what was his first run for five months.
“He didn’t look as sharp as he was for this race last year. Having said that, with a clear run I think he’d have won, even if he wouldn’t have been as impressive as a lot of people might have expected.
“We’re disappointed to get beaten, but not discouraged. Tonight wasn’t his big gig, that will come in three weeks’ time. We left a bit to work on and I’m sure he’ll improve.”
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