Third Realm (yellow) beating Adayar at Lingfield© Photo Healy Racing
Roger Varian is confident Third Realm still has a “big future” ahead of him after finishing fifth in the Cazoo Derby.
The Sea The Stars colt beat Charlie Appleby’s Epsom hero Adayar when claiming top honours in the Lingfield Derby Trial last month.
That form was turned on its head on the day that mattered most, but Third Realm was not disgraced in finishing fifth — and his trainer believes there is plenty to look forward to.
“I think if everything had gone smoothly for Third Realm at Epsom, the closest he would have been is third or fourth. The winner won very well and looked a class above,” said Varian.
“I thought Third Realm ran with great credit. For a horse we thought would go round Epsom like a motorbike, he didn’t really handle things — he got a bump in the first furlong and just looked a little bit out of his comfort zone.
“He was a bit keen over the top of the hill and got a bit unbalanced round Tattenham Corner. For most of the way you couldn’t see him finishing in the frame, but he stayed on very well inside the final furlong and a half and nearly got fourth.
“I thought it was the run of a horse with a big future, but at no stage of the race watching did he look quite comfortable to me.”
Third Realm retains an entry in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday week.
Asked whether that Group Two contest is a possible target, the trainer added: “I would have thought that would be too soon, but we’ll see how he is this week — we don’t have to decide now.”
Varian saddled three runners in the Cazoo Oaks last Friday, with outsider Save A Forest faring best of them in fourth.
“It was no surprise to us that Save A Forest ran well. She’s improved with every start and she would have been suited by conditions,” said the Newmarket handler.
“I think she was a shade unlucky not to be closer. With all the field going over to the far rail, and her being on the rail but towards the rear, it meant up the straight she didn’t have a clear run. She ran great.”
Zeyaadah and Teona both ran below expectations, with Varian of the opinion both floundered in the rain-softened ground.
He added: “Zeyaadah ran like a non-stayer on that ground. She moved into it nicely in the straight and didn’t get home. I think it’s a misconception that she wants soft ground — I think she wants much better ground.
“Teona definitely wants better ground. Her mother Ambivalent liked it fast, and I should think she will be most comfortable on a faster surface.
“We’ll give her a bit of time — she’s a big filly. I’ve not lost faith in her. I’ve always touted her to be a nice filly and I’m sure she will be, but we won’t rush her back to the track.
“We’ll take a view on her in a couple of weeks’ time and see how she’s come out of the race.”
