SOFT Falling Rain, who will be aiming at a double in Saturday’s Gr2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan, was put through his paces at the track earlier this week and Mike de Kock commented: “He needed his comeback run badly and has improved a lot for that outing.”

The other South African-bred star in this race is Joey Ramsden’s Variety Club. He also did steady work from Mike’s barn and the trainer said: “There is no need to do anything special with him. It’s just a case of keeping him fresh. Joey arrives on Wednesday.”

The “Lord” Andrew Watkins, the deeply British former jockey-come-photographer, snapped a few pics for our readers.

 Soft Falling Rain, working on the grass track with Paul Hanagan up.

Variety Club, breezing on the all-weather.

Nice close-up of of UAE Derby hopeful, Jalotta.

Star Empire: The game old guy will give of his best in the Gold Cup.