Avontuur Estate's Var has been a sire sensation breeding out and out sprinters as well as Derby contenders winning over all distances. Variety Club falls into the unknown catergory as to his staying potential according to jockey Anton Marcus who was non-committal.

Anton Marcus said he would be “sitting on the fence” regarding the question whether Variety Club will stay the 2000m of the Investec Cape Derby to be run at Kenilworth on J&B Met day, January 28.

“I’m not saying he will and not saying he won’t. A lot will also depend on the pace.”

The Champion jockey, asked on whether having to be used up early by the draw had had anything to do with the top three-year-old running out of steam in the latter stages when a narrow runner up in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, said, “He was beaten by the draw and the draw only in that race.”

Meanwhile, Anthony Delpech has said that Mushreq would love the 2000m trip.

“That is what he’s looking for,” said Delpech. “He didn’t settle well in the Politician Stakes (over 1800m when beaten 4,5 lengths by Jackson to whom he gave 3kg), so he ran a great race.”

It will be interesting to see whether the blinkers will be dispensed with after that headstrong performance by Mushreq, although his most impressive win to date had come in his previous outing over 1800m at Turffontein when the blinkers were donned for the first time.

Jackson will also be crying out for this trip and his impressive win in the Listed Politician Stakes sees him priced up as narrow second favourite behind Variety Club.

Potala Palace, who is third favourite just ahead of Mushreq, was seen as overrated by many after he had lost both of his last two races as a heavily supported favourite.

However, the Dingaans was not his race and his last start, in which he used more suitable hold up tactics, was a fine effort considering it was a handicap in which he raced off a 105 merit rating over too sharp a trip against some useful older horses rated in the high 90s.

Potala Palace will relish the extra distance.

Changingoftheguard is fifth favourite and will also relish the step up in trip and will be hoping for a better draw than in the Politician Stakes when beaten 4,7 lengths by Jackson to whom he had to give 1,5kg.

The next two in the betting Alula Borealis and Silver Haven will also appreciate the extra distance.