Former Kiwi trained filly Verry Elleegant has booked a spot in the Vinery Stud Stakes with an impressive win in the Group 2 $200,000 Chandon S Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) Rosehill today.
Verry Elleegant, above, scored a runaway win in the Phar Lap Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Verry Elleegant was only having her second race start for the Chris Waller stable but was able to go one better that her first up second at Flemington in the Group 3 $160,000 The Vanity (1400m) a month ago.
Waller will now set Verry Elleegant for the Group 1 $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill in a fortnight.
“How far she gets this prep I’m not sure, but obviously we will go a bit higher. There’s certainly room for improvement but she has got a lot of class,” Waller said.
“(The Vinery) seems logical, and a nice stepping stone, she had a minor setback after her first up run which was well documented so I guess she was a little bit fresh but hopeful today’s run can just bring her back and she gets a bit of confidence. Certainly she has got the ability there. A few little changes and she’ll be right on the job.”
Verry Elleegant did plenty of things wrong during the run but was still able to dispose of the other three year olds with a dominant display at the finish.
“It’s not something you can change quickly, it’s just time, let them relax and he horses. As you can see we’ve got a nose roll on but it’s not helping, maybe we take it off I don’t know,” Waller said.
“Won’t worry about it today, we’ll just enjoy the win, it’s been a good race for us and hopefully this year is no different.”
Winning jockey James McDonald had to push Verry Elleegant into a midfield position after she was a little bit tardy out of the starting gates and the filly had a tendency to run around in the straight when put under pressure.
McDonald was able to secure a run inside of the leader and runner up Seabrook ($8) on the home turn and once she got on terms with the Mick Price trained filly, Verry Elleegant ($2.30 favourite) was able to run away to record a three and half lengths win.
VRC Oaks winner Aristia ($6.50) ran on from the back to fill third spot and is on track for the Group 1 $1m Heineken 3 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 13.
