POSTPONED is likely to make his next appearance in the Coronation Cup at Epsom after having to make do with minor honours when defending his crown in Saturday’s Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.
Roger Varian’s charge enjoyed a spectacular campaign in 2016, winning the Dubai City of Gold, the Sheema Classic, the Coronation Cup and the Juddmonte International before finishing fifth in the Arc.
Although narrowly beaten in the Dubai City of Gold this time around, hopes were high he could get back on the winning trail on World Cup night, but he could only finish third behind the John Gosden-trained Jack Hobbs and Aidan O’Brien’s filly Seventh Heaven.
Coronation Cup the aim for Postponed once againracingfotos
While disappointed, Varian is not despondent and is confident his stable star will enjoy another productive season.
“I suppose after the level he got to last year, you always have high expectations. We’re disappointed to get beaten, but the more we reflect on it, the more we think he hasn’t run a bad race at all,” said the Kremlin House-based trainer.
“Without wanting to make excuses, I don’t think the ground would have suited him, there was also a headwind and a slow pace.
"He just can't quicken on that slower ground like he does on quicker ground, but I think you've got to congratulate the winner, who won very well on the night.
"He's come out of the race fine. I haven't seen him myself but he's due to fly back today, so we'll see how he is when he gets home.
"He certainly won't run before Epsom and we'd be very keen to get him back for the Coronation Cup again if we can.
"I'm sure he'll bounce back in the summer."
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