18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Varian and Atzeni have dream weekend

Sun 14th Sep 2014, 16:30

Cursory Glance forges home in the CurraghCursory Glance forges home in the Curragh
© Photo Healy Racing

Cursory Glance topped off a dream weekend for Roger Varian and Andrea Atzeni when taking the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes on the back of Kinston Hill’s success in the St Leger yesterday.

The 11/8 favourite was pushed along in sixth three furlongs from home, but began to pick up and got herself into the lead over a furlong out. She kept on well, which she had to do as Lucida stayed on very strongly to press her right to the line. There was a neck in it at the finish.

Lucida for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning had to settle for second at 6/1. Mick Channon’s Malabar was half a length away in third at 5/1 (from 9s in the morning).

Andrea Atzeni said: “She jumped well and travelled beautifully. She picked up well and idled a bit. When the horse came to her she found more. She’s a good filly. I can’t see why she wouldn’t get a mile next year. That’s a stiff seven.”

Roger Varian said: “Andrea felt she was running a bit lazy and when he gave her a squeeze she took off. Perhaps she ended up in front a bit too long, but it was a funny race.

“She has tremendous natural speed, is very talented and gets this trip well. She is a Group One winner now and that will probably be it for this season. Hopefully she will have a massive year next year.

“It has been a magical weekend and has not really sunk in yet. Kingston Hill is fine this morning but he had a tough race yesterday. If he bounces back from the St Leger and is 100 per cent then he deserves to be in the Arc line-up.”

Paddy Power and Boylesports cut Cursory Glance for the 1,000 Guineas to 10/1 (from 12/1). Lucida received an introductory 20/1 quote from Boylesports.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.