Postponed ready for another golden run in Dubai

Postponed glided to a superb win in the Coronation Cup last summer and later won the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. Picture: Racingfotos.com

The highest-rated horse trained in Britain, Postponed, will seek to gain back-to-back victories in the Dubai City of Gold at Meydan tomorrow.

The Roger Varian-trained six-year-old has won three QIPCO British Champions Series races in the past two seasons and seems certain to again be a formidable force in this year’s Series over middle distances.

Postponed won the Dubai City of Gold in smooth style last year before following up in the Dubai Sheema Classic on World Cup night and is treading the same path. He is rated between 9lb and 15lb superior to his rivals tomorrow and will be a hot favourite.

“He worked on Wednesday morning and went nicely, so we’re looking forward to Saturday,” Varian said.

“I’d say he’s in similar shape to how he was 12 months ago. We’re happy with him and he’s fit enough to do himself justice, but hopefully he’ll improve.”

Andrea Atzeni has steered Postponed to all but one of his nine career victories, which include triumphs in the QIPCO-sponsored King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2015, plus Investec Coronation Cup and Juddmonte International Stakes last year.

“We gave him a bit of work on the grass the other day and he went well,” said the jockey.

“He’s ready to run. I’m sure he’ll come on for it, but hopefully he’s ready enough to win.

“It’s great a horse like Postponed has stayed in training as a six-year-old and it will be great to ride him again.”

Postponed is joined by stable companion and pacemaker King Bolete in a ten-strong field that also includes the Godolphin-owned quartet of Famous Kid, Memorial Day, Prize Money and Emotionless.

The Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, on the same card, could feature several horses capable of making an impact in this year’s Sprint category of the Champions Series – notably Final Venture, Baccarat and Jungle Cat.

“He’s won two races out there for us already and the form of the race he finished third in is rock solid,” said Paul Midgley, the trainer of Final Venture. “He has a little bit to find with the two that beat him (Baccarat and Jungle Cat), but he’s in good order and you’d have to say he looks like a Group horse.”

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