The talented but sometimes quirky Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) toyed with her rivals to win the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill, notching the third elite-level win of her career in effortless fashion.
The daughter of Zed, who began her career in New Zealand, won the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on the corresponding day a year ago for trainer Chris Waller, and went on to win the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) to stamp her claim as one of the best fillies of her year.
Verry Elleegant demonstrated her staying prowess once again on Saturday and has flagged herself a spring Cups contender.
The mare also demonstrated her fortitude to back up seven days after a fighting second to English horse Addeybb (Pivotal) in the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m).
Racing continues through the Covid-19 crisis but with no spectators allowed, leaving Waller as a one-man cheer squad after Verry Elleegant raced away from Mustajeer (Medicean) and last year’s winner Avilius (Pivotal) to win by just over four lengths.
“It might look like easy but it has been a big effort for the whole stable to get a horse like her to settle as well as she is doing. She is quite a highly-revved horse,” Waller said.
“Full credit to James (McDonald). She is obviously a great horse. We haven’t had her over this distance very often but each time we have she has just been dominant. It is a very special win.”
“She is only four and racing against the older horses basically. She is just a genuine athlete at a staying trip.”
Waller said the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) was high on the list of targets for the New Zealand bred mare and the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) was also a goal.
“The Caulfield Cup would be high on our radar and even a Melbourne Cup,” he said.
“Let’s hope we get weighted as well as some of the other horses from around the world and they keep giving the local horses a chance.
“She’ll be there and she’ll be one of them.”
McDonald has an obvious affection for Verry Elleegant despite her quirks and said she adapted well when he found himself further back than he planned.
“She was a star today,” he said.
“I thought I would probably be outside the lead but she felt better coming from off the speed to be honest.
“But that’s how adaptable she is and how she has grown as a mare. Hopefully we are only going to reap the rewards now and what she has already done is just a bonus.
“What I felt today was just extraordinary.”
Waller is unsure whether to prolong the mare’s campaign for a tilt at the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in the uncertain times but said he hoped people could see racing was being run responsibly.
“I think everybody here has been so responsible as have the stable staff that are doing a fantastic job.”
“We’re all worried about our safety and health as well as the rest of Australia but we are showing we can put on a responsible show and keep everyone interested at home.”
The talented bay began her career in New Zealand in the Ardmore Lodge stable of Nick Bishara, who also shares ownership with a syndicate that includes the filly’s breeder Don Goodwin.
Sold to Australia after winning two of her three starts, Bishara and the original syndicate members still have a 25 percent ownership interest in Verry Elleegant, while fellow Kiwis John and Mark Carter, and their sister Rachel, who race under Jomara Bloodstock also have a 25 percent interest.
