Top mare Chipping her way to greatness
CHAMPION mare Verry Elleegant has muscled her way into the pantheon of the alltime greats after another famous win at Randwick on Saturday.
Verry Elleegant showed the fierce will to win that has been her trademark to take out a second successive Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m).
Trainer Chris Waller was often reduced to tears when his mighty mare Winx was dominating racing and he did get a little emotional after Verry Elleegant’s demonstrated her incredible versatility to win the feature weight-for-age race.
“It’s touching me a little, no tears, but it has touched me,” Waller said.
“Verry Elleegant is just an amazing horse to work with.
“I am blessed to be in the position I am to work with these great horses. But she’s a real piece of work, fights like a tiger.
“I thought the second horse might have had us at the 100m but that’s when the Verry Elleegant qualities come in and she lifts to another level – that’s just her.”
In a thrilling finish, Verry Elleegant ($2.50 favourite) held off the late surge of She’s Ideel ($71) to win by a head with Angel Of Truth ($61) 1¼ lengths away third.
It was Verry Elleegant’s 11th career Group 1 win and took her earnings to $14,638,244.
She became the first Melbourne Cup winner to return and win the Chipping Norton Stakes in the same season since Rain Lover in 1968-69.