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By Sam Turner -
Trainer Roger Varian has reiterated his conviction that Guineas heroine Elmalka will add another Group 1 victory to her cv and believes a return to Newmarket may see her achieve the feat.
The classy daughter of Kingman has yet to supplement her thrilling 1000 Guineas success in the colours of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, but creditable subsequent performances at the top level in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and in Goodwood’s Nassau Stakes have still seen her run to a high standard.
Her latest effort over 2000m behind Opera Singer on the Sussex downs suggested that trip was at the upper end of her stamina limit and her Newmarket handler thinks a drop in distance to contest the Sun Chariot Stakes on the Rowley Mile ‘makes sense’.
“She’s doing really well and I couldn’t be more pleased with her at the moment,” said Varian.
“I think most likely we will wait for the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket. I think back in trip, hopefully on a bit of autumn ground, it all makes sense to head there, back to the course and distance of her Guineas win.
“I’m really pleased with her and I think she ran very well both at Ascot and at Goodwood. Although she hasn’t backed up her Guineas run with another G1 win, I think they were two G1 performances.
“I do think she will win another G1 and I think she will be well-suited to the challenge the Sun Chariot presents to her in October.”
