Decision day
VERRY VER Elleegant’s part-owner par Brae Sokolski k concedes there th were no excuses cu for the champion mare’s latest disappointing run in her failed European race campaign.
But Sokolski Sokolsk stopped short of confirming whether wh Verry Elleegant had run her h last race until he consulted with the mare’s ownership group. gro
He was speaking sp moments before leaving London on Wednesday after travelling t over to watch her finish fin only ninth in the Champions Champio Fillies and Mares at Ascot last weekend.
“It was a disappointing di result for Verry Elleegant Ell at Ascot, there was no n real excuses,’’ Sokolski said.
“She pulled pulle up well, she’s actually in amazing am shape and there are no issues with her whatsoever.
“But when I get back to Sydney the owne ownership group will have a discussion discus about Verry Elleegant and by the end of this week we will work out a plan of attack.”
Verry Elleegant, winner of 16 of her 42 starts, including 11 at Group 1 level, for earnings of almost $15m, has struggled to reproduce her best form in Europe after a shock split with trainer Chris Waller.
Under French trainer Francis-henri Graffard, the Melbourne Cup winner has managed only one placing in four starts.
The mare’s ownership group will meet to decide her future but it seems likely she has run her last race.
One of the options is whether Verry Elleegant goes to stud in Europe or if she is returned to Australia for the spring breeding season next year.
Sokolski still has plenty to look forward to back home, including flying filly Coolangatta in the Group 1 $2m Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on Friday night and top mare Hinged in the $10m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on October 29
Coolangatta goes into the Manikato after winning the Group 1 Moir Stakes and, significantly, she has drawn the rails barrier for Friday0’s big race.
“She is up and running and is one of our shining lights,’’ Sokolski said.
“It’s going to be difficult for her but she has drawn well. I’d love for her to get a smother just in behind the leaders.
“I’m also hoping the track stays dry as she is a much better filly on top of the ground.’’
Hinged ran a close third in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap last start and was given an easy barrier trial by Waller at Warwick Farm on Tuesday to prepare for the Golden Eagle.
“It was a vintage Chris Waller barrier trial, a ticking-over trial,’’ Sokolski said. “She is going great and is in the Golden Eagle up to her ears. Ideally you would like her to be going to 2000m but if we went to the Cox Plate she would be a 25-1 shot and we are racing for half the prizemoney.
“She is favourite for the Golden Eagle and being worth $10m, it was an easy decision to make.’’