Villa Verde ready to test Overreach in Reisling Stakes

Unbeaten filly Villa Verde has settled into her Randwick stable and is ready to clash with Gai Waterhouse’s Overreach on Saturday in the Group 2 $300,000 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill to sought out the Golden Slipper favouritism.

villa verde

Villa Verde (outside) defeats Overreach (centre) at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Even though Villa Verde has a victory over Overreach, Waterhouse’s filly shot straight to the top of the Golden Slipper markets after a five and three quarter lengths win in the Listed $100,000 Widden Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on February 16.

In current markets, Overreach is the $3.90 favourite with Villa Verde a chance of shortening her $6.50 quote with an authoritative performance on Saturday.

Villa Verde travelled up from her Bendigo base and trainer Shaun Dwyer has reported that the grey filly has settled into her new surroundings without a hiccup.

“She arrived here at 5am yesterday morning and she hasn’t left an oat since, she’s great,” Dwyer told.

“This morning she went for a trot and canter like she’d been here all her life.”

Dwyer will let Villa Verde have a good workout in the morning to prepare her for the rematch with Overreach after the Victorian took care of the Exceed And Excel filly in the Listed $120,000 Inglis Debutants Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on October 17.

“She’ll have a gallop on the course proper tomorrow morning, do some evens and work the last 600 in about 36,” Dwyer said.

“She doesn’t need a lot, she’s very fit already.”

Dwyer has prepared Villa Verde for her Sydney debut with lots of work right-handed at her home track at Bendigo.

“She’s done more work right-handed than left,” Dwyer said.

“I reckon since she came back into work this time she has done 80 percent of her work right-handed.

“Her track-work rider this morning said she was straight onto the right leg here this morning without an issue.”

Dwyer decided to miss the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 23 in favour of a Golden Slipper preparation and sent Villa Verde straight to the paddock after winning over 1000m in the Listed $120,000 7News Plate at Flemington on November 6 at her second race start.

Waterhouse also sent Overreach to the paddock after her second to Villa Verde at Caulfield also with the Golden Slipper her main target.

Hugh Bowwan is the replacement rider for Villa Verde in the Reisling Stakes after regular jockey Michael Rodd was suspended at Moonee Valley last Friday for fourteen meetings.

Rodd pleaded guilty to causing interference at the winning post the first time in the Group 2 $220,000 Sportingbet Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) when he allowed his mount Sheer Talent to move in onto Hvasstan who then moved in causing Bass Strait to be checked.

Dwyer said that Bowman is only booked for this Saturday’s race and got the nod over a host of jockeys looking for the ride, including Craig Williams, Glen Boss, Glyn Schofield, Steven Arnold and Jim Cassidy.

“I rang the boys and it was decided to put Hughie on, he’s one of the three best in the country,” Dwyer said.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.