The reunion of Zimbabwean born jockey Rogan Norvall with giant killer Veyron has boosted the confidence of Cambridge trainer Linda Laing heading into the Group 2 $175,000 Tattersall’s Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Veyron, (yellow, blue sleeves) scores an upset win in the G2 Warwick Stakes at Warwick Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.
Veyron scored at big odds, beating the well tried Streama in the Group 2 $175,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on August 24 with Sydney rider Christian Reith in the saddle.
Even though Reith was able to lift the multiple New Zealand Group 1 winner over the line for a tough win, regular rider Norvall will be back on board in the Chelmsford Stakes.
Norvall has been in charge of ten of Veyron’s fifteen wins including three of his five Group 1 victories in New Zealand.
Laing is happy to see the team back together and with that tough run at Warwick Farm under his belt, is giving the eight year old an excellent chance to replicate the result.
“They have a pretty special bond really, he’s won three Group 1s on him and run two seconds,” Laing told the Sportsman.
“He’s a pretty versatile horse and I just leave it completely to Rogan who knows him inside out.”
Laing had to abort a start in the Group 1 $2m BMW Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick in the Autumn when Veyron developed a stone bruise after finishing eighth to Pierro in the Group 1 $400,000 The Daily Telegraph George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
She was adamant that Australian racegoers didn’t see the best of Veyron earlier in the year and is glad that he could produce a win at his second trip across the Tasman.
“It was just a shame last prep the he stood on something and got a blood blister in his foot, you definitely didn’t see the best of him,” Laing said.
Even though Laing will be weary of her opposition, especially from the Chris Waller contingent, she is still confident of Veyron figuring in the finish again.
Veyron is not going to start at the juicy odds of $21 again as was the case when he won the Warwick Stakes and has been installed the early $4.20 favourite over the Waller trio of Bayrir at $4.60 and Beaten Up and Hawkspur both at $5.
All going well, Veyron will line up in the Group 1 $350,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in two weeks and a decision on a run in the Group 1 $500,000 The Star Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on October 5 will be determined on what weight the eight year old is given.
