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Variety Club proved that he is the undisputed champion miler as he outclassed a field of four in the R700 000, WFA Group 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1600m at Clairwood on Saturday.

The result was never in any doubt and the son of Var won comfortably by 1.25L in a slow run race under regular rider Anton Marcus.

Castlethorpe(AUS) and Karl Nesius led briefly, before Marcus and Variety Club took up the lead. Variety Club bowled along happily with no challenges coming until the 300m mark, when Pierre Jourdan and Robbie Fradd loomed up the outside.

Joey Ramsden's star was however far too classy for his opponents. Marcus simply asked for an extra gear and Variety Club pulled away to win in a time of 1.35.78. A game Castlethorpe finished in second, with Pierre Jourdan in third, a further length back.

Variety Club, by Var out of the Secret Prospector mare, La Massine, recorded his ninth victory for owners Mrs I Jooste and Mr M J Jooste.