Veteran Shocking Mare Nerve Not Verve Opens Stakes Account In Chairman's Quality

Mark Smith - Saturday April 2

The 6yo Shocking mare Nerve Not Verve may have earned a reprieve from the sale ring for the second consecutive year after she edged a stubborn Knights Order in Saturday’s Group II Schweppes Chairman’s Quality (2600m) at Randwick.

Tough win (image Steve Hart)

Ridden by Regan Bayliss for Mike Moroney, Nerve Not Verve defeated Knights Order (IRE) (So You Think) by a short-neck with Luncies (GB) (Iffraaj) three and a quarter lengths back in third.

It was a maiden stakes success for Nerve Not Verve who came into the race off a second in the Epona Stakes at Rosehill.

Advertisement

Carrying the colours of Richard Pegum, the daughter of Shocking advances her record to seven wins, eight seconds, and three thirds from 39 starts with earnings of $481,783.

Moroney is rueing the decision not to enter the mare for the Sydney Cup.

“We were going to go the Launceston Cup, and she went terribly one day at Moonee Valley and come close to retirement,” Moroney recalled.  

I thought she was just badly in season that day and then she come out and won her next start. The noms for the Sydney Cup were closed about then, she’s due to be sold in the broodmare sale, but they might keep going another year again now.”

“She was due to be sold last year too. She’s a really good staying mare. I’ve always been a believer that she would stay, even though some of the jockeys told me that they didn’t think she would. I think the combination of her learning to relax a little bit more in this sort of ground she’s obviously adept in it. She’s done a great job.

Nerve Not Verve Regan Bayliss (image Steve Hart)

“We’ve got a little to think about now whether we head to Queensland or what we do with her. She’s deep into her preparation but as you know with mares like that they can stay in form and she’s done a really good job.

“She gave us signs during the week her work was up to the best she’s ever worked, I just couldn’t fault her. I knew she was hard and fit and probably the first trip I’ve had her 100%.”

Bred by Cambridge Hunt, the daughter of Shocking was purchased by Bruce Perry Bloodstock for $60,000 from the Curraghmore draft at the 2017 NZB Select Yearling Sale.

Out of the Monjeu mare Bilancia, Nerve Not Verve is a half-sister to the Champion Stayer in NZ in 2018-19 Glory Days (Red Giant), whose 10 wins included the Group 1 Auckland Cup and Group II Auckland Avondale Cup.

Nerve Not Verve is the 19th black-type winner for Rich Hill Stud’s Melbourne Cup hero Shocking.

Advertisment

Race Result - Schweppes Chairman's Quality Gr2 2600m

Randwick Track: Heavy(9) Time: 2:51.96
1
Nerve Not Verve
- 6m Shocking (AUS) x Bilancia (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54
2
0.2
Knights Order
- 7g So You Think (NZ) x Lamanka Lass (USA) (Woodman (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 55.5
So You Think
3
3.5
Luncies
- 5g Iffraaj (GB) x Under The Rainbow (GB) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: R Dolan 53
4
4.2
Alakahan
- 6g Motivator (GB) x Aliyama (IRE) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: Craig Williams 53
5
4.3
Feel The Rush
- 5m Proisir (AUS) x Zabex (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ms L J Meech 53
6
6.4
She's Ideel
- 6m Dundeel (NZ) x Ana's Mail (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
7
6.7
Zeyrek
- 5g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Zerkaza (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: W Pike 54.5
8
6.9
Great House
- 5g Galileo (IRE) x Anja (IRE) (Indian Ridge (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Bowman 57.5
9
7.3
Sweet Thomas
- 10g Dylan Thomas (IRE) x Sworn Pro (GER) (Protektor (GER))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: J Ford 53
10
8.7
Kaapfever
- 7g Sufficient (NZ) x Kaapdiva (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: Tyler Schiller 53
11
11.9
Surprise Baby
- 7g Shocking (AUS) x Bula Baby (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ))
Tnr: Gavin Bedggood Rdr: N Rawiller 56.5
12
12.0
True Marvel
- 6g Masked Marvel (GB) x Anecdotique (FR) (Enrique (GB))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 53
13
14.8
South Pacific
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Tonnara (IRE) (Linamix (FR))
Tnr: Richard Litt Rdr: Teodore Nugent 54
14
16.0
Olympic Gaze
- 4g Olympic Glory (IRE) x Wingstack (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: P M Perry Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 53
15
17.7
Avion Fury
- 5g More Than Ready (USA) x Elan Grenadine (AUS) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: I B Finn Rdr: Tom Sherry 54
16
29.9
Savvy Valentino
- 5g Savabeel (AUS) x High Fashion (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 53
More Reading...
Deep Field's Depth Of Character Takes The Queensland Guineas
Deep Field three-year-old Depth Of Character has opened the path to a potential Group I Stradbroke Handicap tilt after winning the Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Newgate to Offer Femminile at MM National
The month's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast received an incredible update when rising staying star Femminile won the Group One SA Derby (2500m) at Morphettville yesterday.
$1.1million Fastnet Filly a New SW for Sheamus Mills Bloodstock
Tara Talks Racing podcast listeners would have taken notice of the Listed SAJC Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday featuring $1.1million Fastnet Rock filly On Display.
Inglis Australian Weanlings - Unraced Trial Report
With the Inglis Australian Weanling sale kicking off on Monday don’t forget to check the unraced trialler report for a bit more intel on what might be coming.
2.3million Justify Colt Wins G1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas for Godolphin
The weekend started well for Godolphin when their unbeaten filly Good Cheer won the Group I Kentucky Oaks on Friday and it got even better on Saturday when record priced  €2.3million Justify colt Ruling Court landed the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas in the UK.
FBAA Mentorship Program - Successful Applicants Announced
The FBAA is excited to announce the selection of two mentees to participate in the second annual FBAA Mentorship Program commencing 19th May 2025.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 3
Here is the full list of 113 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kentucky Derby Triumph for Godolphin
Sheikh Mohammed’s revered Godolphin racing and breeding operation have won Derbies all over the world, but until today the Kentucky Derby had proven elusive, but a three year-old colt called Sovereignty changed all that at Churchill Downs before a crowd in excess of 150,000.
Raining Black Type at Geisel Park
Geisel Park and its Group 1 racehorse and sire Manhattan Rain are poised to launch another winning wave in Group company at home and on the road with their fillies and mares in May.
Libertad Back To Winning Form in G2 Victory Stakes
It had been a while between drinks but Russian Revolution stallion Libertad found his way back to winning form in the Group II Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.