2018 Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival Calls for Variation

December 13, 2017

2018 Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival Calls for Variation

The lower-grade races of next year’s Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival 2018 are calling for smart Perth galloper Variation who rounds out his summer prep at home this Saturday.

Black Heart Bart

Saturday’s AJ Scahill Stakes 2017 runner Variation has form around five-time Group 1 winner Black Heart Bart (pictured) this summer in W.A. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Lark Hill horseman Simon Miller is keen to send his War Chant four-year-old east for a shot at some Melbourne Festival of Racing black-type in Victoria next time in after the gelding’s consistent season.

“That is the plan and that’s what we are going to do,” Miller told the radio this week.

“We won’t target any of the major races and will look at something a little easier.”

A winner of seven of his 17 career starts, Variation has had four runs for four top four performances across his spring – summer preparation in a nice effort after being crowned WA’s champion three-year-old a year prior.

After two recent Group 3 placings, the up-and-comer was one of the eye-catching performers in the Group 1 $1 million Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 25.

Ridden by Brad Parnham on 53kg, Variation finished only three-quarters of a length behind the upset winner Great Shot in the race that saw Darren Weir’s five-time Group 1 champion Black Heart Bart run second.

That was an encouraging performance for Miller who hopes the experience over in Melbourne next autumn can bring the horse on for a second shot at the Railway Stakes next Perth Summer Racing Carnival.

“Hopefully it will toughen him up and improve him a little bit,” Miller said.

“If he can find another length he could be a big chance in the Railway Stakes next year.”

As for this weekend, Variation has a final start jumping from barrier six of nine in the Group 3 $250,000 A.J. Scahill Stakes (1400m).

Miller made the call to bypass last weekend’s Group 1 $1 million Kingston Town Classic (1800m), won in an all-local trifecta by Pounamu, who Variation was only a nostril flare off for second back on November 4 in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m).

“There were more seasoned horses in it than him and he is still immature,” Miller said of the Kingston Town Classic.

“I think what we have asked of him so far he has delivered pretty good.

“He has come through all his races really good.

“He has a fair bit of potential and we have looked after him.”

The extra week between runs should be favourable for Variation, but Miller does have some queries about the rise to 59kg at weight-for-age.

“I think we have done the right thing having a crack at this race,” Miller said.

“He pulled through the Railway really good and the gap seems pretty ideal.

“I was surprised how well he backed up between the Peters and the Railway.

“He has mainly done beach work since then and I’m pretty pleased with him.

“My only concern is weight for age, but you won’t know until he races in it.”

To back Variation this weekend and into the autumn at the top racing odds online visit Ladbrokes.com.au today.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Z...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pr...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

Pride Of Jenni was enormous running her rivals ragged with a blistering...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results:...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Dublin Down is into Saturday week’s 2024 Golden Slipper field after a gutsy...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results:...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

Celestial Legend put the writing on the wall for a huge year ahead with the...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Top honours in the 2024 Canterbury Stakes results at Royal Randwick went to...

Race Results

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Zougotcha Dives Late to Salute

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Race Previews

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Magic Night Winner Drifting Firms in Golden Slipper 2024 Betting

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

Fields & Form

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

2024 Randwick Guineas Field & Odds Update: Militarize Set to Strike Second-Up