Newmarket or Paris next on the radar for Lady Of Spain

Lady Of Spain will jump up to Group One company after maintaining her unbeaten record at Sandown – but Roger Varian has yet to decide if she will stay at a mile for the BetMGM Sun Chariot Stakes or test the waters over further in the Prix de l’Opera.

Both high-class contests take place on the same weekend, meaning the Carlburg Stables handler is able to make a late call with the progressive four-year-old, who delighted her team when making it five out of five in the Group Three Atalanta Stakes.

Varian said: “She’s in good form and has come out of the race at Sandown really well.

“We’ll look to step up to Group One company next and she’ll be left in the Sun Chariot and she’ll be left in the Prix de l’Opera, they’re both on the first weekend in October and we’ll make a decision on whether we stick to a mile or go up to a mile and a quarter nearer the time.”

If staying close to home for Newmarket’s one-mile event on October 4, Lady Of Spain would have the chance to replicate the exploits of David Menuisier’s Tamfana, who followed up Atalanta Stakes success on the Rowley Mile 12 months ago.

However, the daughter of Phoenix Of Spain has already proven her stamina on the continent when winning Deauville’s Prix Petite Etoile over an extended nine furlongs last December and a move up to ten furlongs at ParisLongchamp on Arc day would hold no fears for Varian.

“I would like to explore further at some point, whether we need to do it immediately we will see,” continued the Newmarket handler.

“She looks fantastic and is moving well, but we haven’t tested her in any strong work since she won the Atalanta, so it will be interesting when we do if she gives us a sharper impression to encourage us to stay at a mile or if we fancy going up to 10 furlongs.

“I don’t think either will be a problem and I’m sure she’ll have the stamina for 10 furlongs, but at the same time she was very good at Sandown over a stiff mile and on soft ground, she was very strong through the line, so both remain very strong possibilities.

“These are the decisions you want to be making and she looks a good one and hopefully she continues her progression.”

The Varian string have been in peak form of late, with the trainer coming close to landing a third St Leger with Rahiebb at Doncaster.

Among the recent winners has been Raammee, who backed up his taking debut success at Kempton in emphatic style at Newcastle.

However, Varian is keen to keep his feet on the ground for the time being with the son of Persian King, as he nominates Kempton’s Unibet Hyde Stakes a possible stepping stone to loftier targets next season.

“He’s an easy horse to like and he’s got a bright future, but it will all be about next year with him,” said Varian.

“In terms of exciting turf racing, there’s only six weeks of the season left and that will all come a bit too soon for him, but I wouldn’t rule out something like the Hyde Stakes for him back at Kempton on December 1.”