Off the board just once in 12 starts, War Chant (USA) gelding Variation created his own little bit of history in Saturday's Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m).
The Stephen Miller-trained 3yo became the first horse to win the WA Guineas-Belmont Guineas double.
Aided by a copybook ride by Brad Parnham, Variation enjoyed a cosy passage one-out, one-back and never shirked his task when challenged by Gatting in the closing stages.
Under hard riding, Variation defeated Gatting (Hard Spun) by a length with Western Temple (Dream Ahead) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third. (photo Perth Racing).
With his third stakes success, Variation (pictured as a yearling) advanced his record to 6 wins, 2 second and 3 thirds from 12 starts with earnings of $596,650.
"I usually cop it pretty sweet, but it started to get to me because everyone was on top of him," Miller told the West Australian.
"Credit to the horse and credit to Brad. Brilliant ride. He's just an unbelievable little horse."
Winning rider Brad Parnham believes Variation has the scope to progress to a race like the $1 million Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) in November.
"It's obviously another level again the Railway, but I think he's capable of putting his best foot forward and running a good race in that," Parnham said.
"Every time I felt Gatting just edge that little bit closer, my guy was able to respond.
"It will be interesting going up to 2000 because obviously Gatting is a very good stayer. I think it will be a good battle between the two, but I do think my guy will get it."
A $32,000 purchase by Millfields Park from the Mungrup Stud draft at the 2015 Perth Magic Millions Yearling
A sister to the stakes-placed Halo Magic, Fleeting Angel descends from the family of Group II Peter Pan Stakes winner and Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes runner-up, Black Ivory (Pago Pago).
Fleeting Angel has an unnamed 2yo filly by Dick Turpin (IRE). Her 2015 foal by Playing God died after birth. She foaled a Dick Turpin (IRE) filly on August 19 last year and was bred back to I'm All The Talk.
Variation comes from the second Australian crop sired by the Breeders' Cup Mile winner War Chant (Danzig) who stands at Yarradale Stud with his
