Exciting USA import Varatti, has stamped himself as one of the Philippines top gallopers, with a runaway win in the Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Memorial Cup over 2000 meters on Sunday, at the Philippine Jockey Clubs newly opened Padre Garcia racing circuit.
Put into the box seat by Jeff Zarate in the run to the back-straight, the son of Into Mischief (USA) was always travelling sweetly in the run behind Lucency (Tapwrit USA) and Ace Of Diamonds (Swiss Ace Aus), before taking command around the home turn, and racing away for an easy four length win. Lucency (Tapwrit USA), held on for the second spot, with another USA import Birchton (Maclean’s Music USA) running on for third.
Raced by Anthony James Rabano, Varatti is out of the Empire Maker (USA) mare Artemis. He arrived in the Philippines in January this year with an impressive record of fourteen starts for six wins, including two wins at stakes level and USD $183, 000 in prize money. From his eight starts in the Philippines, Varatti has shown great versatility winning five races from his eight runs, in distances ranging from 1200 to Sundays Cup race of 2000 meters.
The win was part of a great day for the Rabano stable and trainer Ramon Nartea, with their locally bred Amor My Love (Low Profile Phi), also winning the Marho-Casella Wines-Australia Cup Trophy Race, over 1400 meters under jockey R C Tabor. Light From The East (Kermadec Aus), gave the Rabano stable three for the afternoon when the colt took out the Marho-Okada Trophy, also over 1400 meters for jockey J A Pastoral and trainer Ruben S Tupas.
Sunday’s racing was the Pearl Anniversary Celebration Day for the Metropolitan Association of Racehorse Owners (Marho) Breeders Championships, with the feature race the Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Memorial Cup. Eduardo Cojuangco was revered as a Giant in Philippines racing, as well as being known for his vast racing and breeding interests in Australia through his Gooree Stud. He was also a founding member of Marho, and, the first chairman of the Philippine Racing Commission. The race carried prize money of P3,000,000 (A$78,000).