Verry Elleegant shines at Rosehill

[Chief Stipe]

Fizzy filly Verry Elleegant has taken the next step to classic success with victory in the Gr. 2 Phar Lap Stakes at Rosehill, winning in spite of herself.

The three-year-old dominated the finish of today’s 1500-metre race, leaving Group One winners Seabrook and Aristia in her wake.

Verry Elleegant’s trainer Chris Waller fitted a nose roll to the filly but admitted that might not have worked while jockey James McDonald described her as awkward.

Awkward or not, she is certainly talented, putting three and a half lengths on Champagne Stakes winner Seabrook with VRC Oaks winner another length and three-quarters away.

The win came at her second start for Waller, who inherited the filly from the Darren Weir stable after she went to the now disqualified trainer as a dual winner in New Zealand.

Waller said the Gr. 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) in two weeks would be the next step.

“How far she gets this prep I’m not sure, but obviously we will go a bit higher,” Waller said.

“There’s certainly room for improvement but she has got a lot of class.

“The Vinery seems logical. She had a minor setback after her first-up run which was well documented so I guess she was a little bit fresh.

“Certainly she has got the ability there.

“She does race keenly and it’s not something you can change quickly,.

“We’ve got a nose roll on, but it’s not helping so maybe we will take it off.

“We won’t worry about it today. We’ll just enjoy the win.”

McDonald said he thought a race run at a fast pace would suit the filly who had to contend with a heavy track on Saturday.

“She needs to relax better. It’s hard to explain – she’s awkward rather than being fierce.

“She just doesn’t give herself a rest. I think she just wants to go a bit quicker. Give her a fast-run race and you’d see something.”

Michael Walker and Damian Lane who rode the respective placegetters said both were pleasing as they head to the Vinery and the Australian Oaks.

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