This should go to Joey Ramsden's VARIETY CLUB, who made his debut here last month carrying a big reputation after his numerous Group 1 victories in South Africa and didn't disappoint those who supported him into a short-priced favourite. Despite an eight-month break, he made all for a very convincing victory and the Godolphin Mile now beckons. Haatheq, runner-up in the big one last year, chased him home and returned to something like his best though it wasn't good enough nor was it for Empire Storm and Capital Attraction, who occupied the minor positions. Eastern Rules has been in superb form over 7f and has no problems with a mile having won twice over the trip at Dundalk while Gold City has improved with every run here and could snatch a place at a fair price.
Dastarhon (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) 5th of 13, 3l behind Tasaday (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f Listed stks gd in Feb.
Van Rooney (USA) 11-2 (9-4) 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Free Wheeling (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp.
Forjatt (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Vercingetorix (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f hcp gd in Feb.
Capital Attraction (USA) 7-1 (9-6) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp beating Disa Leader (8-13) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Gabrial (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) 5th of 7, 7l behind Mshawish (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Gold City (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) won at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp in Feb beating My Freedom (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Empire Storm (GER) 20-1 (9-0) 3rd of 9, 5l behind Variety Club (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) in Feb.
Eastern Rules (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) won at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp gd in Feb beating Sommerabend (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Haatheq (USA) 12-1 (9-0) 2nd of 9, 2l behind Variety Club (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) in Feb.
Variety Club (SAF) Evensfav (9-0) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) in Feb beating Haatheq (9-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Shuruq (USA) 5-1 (9-6) last of 6, 8l behind Certify (9-3) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Avon Pearl 16-1 (9-2) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp in Feb beating Van Rooney (9-4) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
Zahee (NZ) 5-2 (9-4) 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Eastern Rules (8-11) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp gd in Feb.
Rutland Boy 16-1 (9-5) 7th of 8, 10l behind Gold City (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp in Feb.
Brendan Brackan (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) last of 12, 16l behind Mujaarib (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 1f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Ocean Tempest 10-1 (9-4) 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Free Wheeling (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp.
Mainsail .
Zurbriggen (8-13) 5th of 0, 8l behind Nawwaar (8-13) at Abu Dhabi(UAE) 7f Listed stks gf in Feb.
Red Dubawi (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) 13th of 15, 13l behind Sanshaawes (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcp in Feb.