Elleegant sibling set for return

[Wandering Eyes]

While the wait remains for an overdue Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) to foal for the first time, her little-known little brother is poised to fill the void when he makes his Victorian debut on Thursday.

Five-year-old Affluential (NZ), who is by Zed out of Opulence (NZ) (Danroad), will have his first run for trainer John Leek at Pakenham after nine starts in WA, which reaped just two placings.

While owner Bob Peters is hardly confident of victory in the 1600-maiden on Thursday night, he said the new campaign for his horse is a significant one as it could result in the longtime owner having his first-ever jumps starter.

“This fellow is quite immature and he needed time,” Peters said. “He may not have a ton of ability so we might end up putting him over the hurdles.

“I’ve never had one (jumper) before. I’ve sold a few that have gone on to become good hurdlers, so it would be a first for us.

“I’d be surprised if he could win first-up, but he’ll get back – that’s his style. He gets back and runs on a bit, so we’ll see what happens.”

As for Verry Elleegant, she is currently waiting to give birth to a Sea The Stars foal in France, but her part-owner Brae Sokolski said connections are not overly worried.

“She’s still in waiting and she’s now three weeks overdue,” he said. “I was in contact late last week and at that point, she wasn’t even that close, but they are not concerned, so I am not concerned.”

There will be one more chapter to the family story as the final foal of Opulence was purchased by Sokolski and a few regular partners for $260,000 as a yearling last year at Karaka.

“Chris (Waller) is very buoyant about the horse,” Sokolski said of the two-year-old named So Suave (NZ) (Zed).

“He is actually more forward than Chris expected and he thought he might even get him to a jumpout but he went shin sore last week, so we turned him out.

“But he’s a horse that we’re very hopeful of.”

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