Variation showcased the 2017 Perth Magic Millions Sale with a home-town victory in the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday.

The lightly-raced gelding was a relatively cheap buy at last year’s Magic Millions and he won the classic after an inspired ride from Perth-born jockey Damian Lane.

Variation is by Yarradale Stud sire War Chant (USA) from Mungrup Stud's Don’t Say Halo mare Fleeting Angel.  “Perth is the best value-for-money yearling sale in Australia,” Mungrup manager Ann Croucher said on Sunday.  “We sold him for $32,000 and the WA Guineas is worth $500,000.”

Variation is the 36th stakes winner by War Chant and he went into the WA Guineas off a brilliant victory at Ascot on Melbourne Cup day.  “He came through his preparation well and everything went to plan,” trainer Stephen Miller said.  “We didn’t know if he was up to the class but we had to have a crack.  I couldn’t win one of these as a jockey but it’s tremendous to train one.”

War Chant (Danzig) had signed off the Melbourne spring carnival with Group 3 winner Silent Sedition in the Summoned Stakes at Sandown Hillside.  Trainer Andrew Noblet had considered sending her across to Perth for the Railway Stakes but opted for the spelling paddock in readiness for the autumn carnivals.

Yarradale manager Bernie Hamill is about to bring in War Chant’s yearlings for the 2017 Perth Magic Millions and among them is an outstanding colt from Born Bold.  The mare is a Darley-bred daughter of Exceed And Excel and she has already foaled Singapore stakes winner Rafaello (Oratorio).

VARIATION