Trainer Darren Weir is confident his stoutly bred Kiwi filly Verry Elleegant will run out the 2500m in the Group 1 $1m Kennedy Oaks (2500m) at Flemington today.
Verry Elleegant, above, is bred to run the distance in the Kennedy Oaks at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Irish jockey John Allen had trouble settling Verry Elleegant in the early and middle stages of the Group 2 $300,000 Mumm Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday but the former New Zealand trained filly ran on to finish fifth to Aristia.
Verry Elleegant is by the Zabeel stallion Zed out of the mare Opulence whose dam lines go back to the great Danehill so she has a lot of staying credentials in her blood.
Weir is a little bit concerned that Verry Elleegant gave Allen a hard ride in the Wakeful Stakes but he thinks that run might have taken the edge off of her and is hoping she will race more tractably in the Kennedy Oaks.
“I think her having a good blow out on Saturday a definitely a plus for her,” Weir told Racenet.
“Her (racing) manners have been an issue so hopefully Saturday took the edge off her and she races more tractably.
“She’s a filly I do think well eat up the trip. I’m happy with her.”
Verry Elleegant has raced three times for Weir since being transferred from New Zealand trainer Nick Bishara and prior to her fifth in the Wakeful Stakes, was third in the Group 2 $200,000 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 6 followed by a win two weeks later in the Group 3 $150,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
Verry Elleegant has drawn barrier thirteen in the fifteen horse field for the fillies and is one three runners for Weir who will also saddle up Amphitrite, Craig Williams, barrier five, and Zapurler, Hugh Bowman, barrier three.
Verry Elleegant in on the second line of betting at $5 with Wakeful Stakes winner Aristia for the Kennedy Oaks at Ladbrokes.com.au while Amphitrite is the $3.20 favourite.
Weir’s third filly in the Kennedy Oaks, Zapurler, is at double figure odds at $11.
