Damian Lane has been confirmed as Verry Elleegant’s (NZ) (Zed) new Melbourne spring rider.
Part-owner Brae Sokolski confirmed on Sunday afternoon that Lane had won the right to ride the eight-time Group One winner in potentially three Group One runs in Melbourne this spring.
‘’We’ve long had a good relationship with Damian and we are pleased and feel really fortunate to have his services this spring,’’ Sokolski said.
‘’He rode Humidor to win the Australian Cup and that was the first Group One win for many of the owners, so it’s great to team up with him again as we feel he’ll really suited the horse.’’
Verry Elleegant is expected to run second-up in the Gr.1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 18 before she is likely to come to Melbourne for the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 2 and then go three weeks into the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).
A decision will then come on whether she will chase the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) ten days later.
Suspended rider Mark Zahra had been booked for the mare when it became obvious Verry Elleegant would require a Melbourne rider this spring as her regular jockey James McDonald is to stay in Sydney due to COVID-19 regulations.
