The Chris Waller-trained mare Verry Ellegant took her place among the all-time greats when James McDonald guided the 6yo daughter of Zed to a 4-length triumph over the favourite Incentivise in the $8million Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday.
It was a first in the race for both trainer and jockey and crowned a magnificent spring for connections.
It was the tenth win at the elite level for the reigning Australian Racehorse of the Year, who came to the race off a fast-finishing third behind State Of Rest and Anamoe in the WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
For those that supported the super mare, this was an easy watch.
The last to come off the bridle, Verry Ellegant cruised past Incentivise who, try as he might, could not rally back but bravely clung to second a long-neck ahead of the European raider Spanish Mission.
McDonald was overcome with emotion following the win.
“I just didn’t think this day would ever happen. I ride in these races, I really want to win, but sometimes you can overthink it and try too hard,” he said.
“I was very confident in the mare today. Thoughts went through my mind at the 500m when I saw Incentivise getting shoved along, but I knew he would fight. There wasn’t a horse that was going to come from behind me, it was just a matter of catching him.
“I wish Covid wasn’t on because my parents would be here. My brother, he’d be watching, and I just wish they were down.
“I’ll be bombarded from back home with all of the support. They will just be elated. I have a huge fan base (in New Zealand) and I’m very lucky to have it.
“To Chris’ team, they have just done a marvellous job with her. You can see how far she has come. She relaxed over 3200m and showed a dazzling turn of foot. Like I’ve said since Saturday, there wasn’t another nine-time Group 1 winner in that race - she was it. I wouldn’t have thought there was one other horse in that field I thought could run third in a Cox Plate. She was ready for it.”
With Chris Waller back in Sydney, stable representative Jo Taylor said it was a memorable day for the team.
“We had a very brief conversation, albeit a very emotional one. I really wish Chris could’ve been here today, he certainly deserves this one,” Taylor said.
“Her performance in the Cox Plate was fantastic. She was just really tough.
“We gave her the time that she needed. We allowed her to tell us what she wanted to do all the way through the Cox Plate.
“After the Cox Plate, Steven Arnold rode her for the first time Tuesday morning and he said “jeez i think she’s come on even more,” and obviously that is very good feedback to hear after a big race like that.
“She had a tough task ahead of her today with 57kgs. It is certainly a lot to carry and then combine that with the barrier, she had a mountain to climb. She got in a really good position, and when turning for home you wanted to start getting excited, but you don’t want to go the early crow.
“She’s a beast and full credit to Chris, and to the entire team across the whole country. We get to be here on race day and hold these Cups, but we couldn’t do any of it without the people behind the scenes that help us get there.”
Several of the owners of Verry Ellegant are also race Incentivise, including Ozzie Kheir, Brae Brae Sokolski and John O’Neill.
“It’s a dream come true having a runner, let alone a winner, let alone a quinella. I’m the luckiest human being on the planet at the moment,” Sokolski said.
I’ve got family and friends here and we cheered them home together. What a privilege. I can’t believe how fortunate I am.
“I feel for my New Zealand brothers in Verry Elleegant back home. They would love to have been here, and we’re so close. The Australian owners are here, which is fantastic, but ‘boys back in New Zealand, love you guys, and we’re going to celebrate hard and we’ll make up for it once we can.”
Verry Elleegant is the best of three winners from four to race out of the Danroad mare Opulence whose granddam Chalet Girl (Imposing) is a half-sister to Danewin and Commands and comes from the same Eight Carat family of Verry Elleegant's sire Zed.
Goodwin had purchased Opulence for just $14,000 at the 2011 NZB National Broodmare Sale
Opulence has an unraced three-year-old brother to Verry Elleegant named Affluential. He was consigned to the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling sale where John Chalmers Bloodstock, on behalf of leviathan WA owner Bob Peters, had the final say at $140,000. Affluential is in the stable of Grant & Alana Williams
Opulence has a 2yo colt, again by the son of Zabeel. Not covered in 2019, she visited Zed again last season.
