Written by Paul Vettise
Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) would be at outside odds to win any parade ring prizes, but her followers on the track are mounting and membership to her fan club grew again at Rosehill.
Good looks don’t win races and the lean and mean filly again showed she had the talent to match her will to win with a hollow victory in the G2 Chandon S Phar Lap S.
Verry Elleegant had put the writing on the wall when she finished runner-up in the G3 Vanity S. when resuming at Flemington and the step up to a mile in Sydney was ideal.
Relishing the heavy underfoot conditions, the welcome addition to the Chris Waller team cut loose in the straight to charge away from Seabrook (NZ) (Hinchinbrook) and the G1 VRC Oaks winner Aristia (Lonhro).
“There’s certainly room for improvement and she’s got the ability.” – Chris Waller.
Qafila (Not A Single Doubt) was fourth to complete a rout of the males with Ranier (Lonhro) the best of the colts trailing home a distant fifth.
“I think the main thing we need to take out of it is how far she gets this prep,” Waller said.
“Obviously, we will go a bit higher. There’s certainly room for improvement and she’s got the ability.”
Waller now has his eye on the G1 Vinery Stud S. over 2000 metres at Rosehill on March 30.
“She’s still a little bit fresh and she’ll get a bit of confidence.” – Chris Waller.
“That seems logical, it’s a nice stepping stone,” he said. “She’s still a little bit fresh and she’ll get a bit of confidence. We’re still learning about her and as you can see we’ve got a nose roll on and we’ll maybe take that off.”
Verry Elleegant was initially trained in New Zealand by Nick Bishara and won two races before clients of the now disqualified trainer Darren Weir bought into the filly.
She landed the G3 Ethereal S. in the spring and ran seventh in the G1 VRC Oaks and subsequently found her way to Waller’s yard.
