The 2020 Melbourne Cup is on the Spring agenda for Verry Elleegant after the tough staying mare scored a runaway win in the Group 1 $1.5m Kia Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill today.
Verry Elleegant, above, will now be prepared for the 2020 Melbourne Cup after winning the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Today’s win was Verry Elleegant’s second win over 2400m and winning trainer Chris Waller will now turn his attention to the 2020 Melbourne Spring Carnival and will prepare the mare for the Group 1 $5m Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield and the Group 1 $8m Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
“The Caulfield Cup would be high on our radar and even a Melbourne Cup,” Waller said.
“Let’s hope we get weighted as well as some of the other horses from around the world and they keep giving the Australian horses a chance. She’ll be there and she’ll be one of them.”
Verry Elleegant was backing up week to week and took no ill affects from her run last week at Rosehill that saw her finish a brave second to Addeybb in the Group 1 $700,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m).
Winning jockey James McDonald found himself further back on Verry Elleegant ($2.15 favourite) than he had anticipated when Brenton Avdulla circled the field at the half way mark on Danceteria to put some solid pace into the race.
Danceteria ($41) had a handy lead when heads were turned for home but quickly folded when Verry Elleegant surged to the front at the 250m mark to record a four and quarter lengths win.
The Kris Lees trained Mustajeer ($17) ran home for second just ahead of last year’s winner Avilius ($5.50).
“It might look like that but it has been a big effort for the whole stable to get a horse like her to settle as well as she is doing. She is quite a highly revved horse,” Waller said.
“Full credit to James (McDonald). She is obviously a great horse. We haven’t had her over this distance very often but each time we have she has just been dominant. It is a very special win.”
“She was here last year running in an Oaks and I think she won the Vinery a year ago. She has been everywhere but she is still getting better. She is only four and racing against the older horses basically. She is just a genuine athlete at a staying trip.”
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