Verry Elleegant Ready to Take on World

Media Release - Tuesday November 23

Australia’s darling of the turf, Verry Elleegant, will likely get her chance to pit her talents against the best in Europe next year.

The New Zealand-bred has nothing left to prove in Australia, having won 10 Group One races, ranging in distance from 1400m to 3200m.

Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant - image Grant Courtney

The Gr.1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m) in Paris next September has been earmarked as her main target, a race that was bandied around by some of her owners previously.

"The owners raised the idea last year and I wasn't quite as keen, but I think now is a good time to do it,” Waller told UK Racing TV show Luck On Sunday.

"The beauty of Verry Elleegant is that she is adaptable over all distances. She's won a Group One race over 1400m through to 3200m now and she's won in all conditions.

"A very firm surface is no problem and a very wet surface, she is almost as effective. To me that is the right type of horse to travel.

"She's a very clean-winded horse who doesn't need a lot of work. She can do her work here in Australia and pick out two or three races over there.

Advertisement

"The owners have their hearts set on the Arc, which is obviously a very, very hard race to win.

“We wouldn't come expecting to win the Arc. It's just great racing and to be part of it is one thing and to have a horse good enough to be winning that many Group One races here in Australia, obviously she is at the level required to be at least competitive, of course respecting what we will be taking on."

While not yet certain whether Verry Elleegant may kick-off in England next winter on her way to France, Waller said her Australian preparation would include four starts and end with the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in April.

"She will start racing in mid-February and her last race in her preparation will be her fourth race and that will be about the 10th of April.

“We'll have that time to prepare to bring her across and work out whether we come out early or late and probably late being a mare with seasonal challenges and all."

The daughter of Grangewilliam Stud stallion Zed was originally trained in New Zealand by part-owner Nick Bishara, for whom she won two of her three starts before her partial sale and move to Australia. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 2
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Caulfield
Three barrier trials at Caulfield on Thursday morning produced heat winners for first season sires Wild Ruler and Profiteer with the quickest winner being Free Flying, the half-sister by Snitzel to brilliant Group winning mare Learning to Fly.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Inglis Ready2Race breeze up footage NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Progeny of the likes of Toronado, Exceed and Excel, Harry Angel, Zoustar and Ole Kirk were amongst the standout performers from breeze up sessions conducted this week in the lead up to the Inglis Ready2Race Sale on October 16, footage of which is now available online.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.