The 6yo Shocking mare Nerve Not Verve may have earned a reprieve from the sale ring for the second consecutive year after she edged a stubborn Knights Order in Saturday’s Group II Schweppes Chairman’s Quality (2600m) at Randwick.
Ridden by Regan Bayliss for Mike Moroney, Nerve Not Verve defeated Knights Order (IRE) (So You Think) by a short-neck with Luncies (GB) (Iffraaj) three and a quarter lengths back in third.
It was a maiden stakes success for Nerve Not Verve who came into the race off a second in the Epona Stakes at Rosehill.
Carrying the colours of Richard Pegum, the daughter of Shocking advances her record to seven wins, eight seconds, and three thirds from 39 starts with earnings of $481,783.
Moroney is rueing the decision not to enter the mare for the Sydney Cup.
“We were going to go the Launceston Cup, and she went terribly one day at Moonee Valley and come close to retirement,” Moroney recalled.
I thought she was just badly in season that day and then she come out and won her next start. The noms for the Sydney Cup were closed about then, she’s due to be sold in the broodmare sale, but they might keep going another year again now.”
“She was due to be sold last year too. She’s a really good staying mare. I’ve always been a believer that she would stay, even though some of the jockeys told me that they didn’t think she would. I think the combination of her learning to relax a little bit more in this sort of ground she’s obviously adept in it. She’s done a great job.
“We’ve got a little to think about now whether we head to Queensland or what we do with her. She’s deep into her preparation but as you know with mares like that they can stay in form and she’s done a really good job.
“She gave us signs during the week her work was up to the best she’s ever worked, I just couldn’t fault her. I knew she was hard and fit and probably the first trip I’ve had her 100%.”
Bred by Cambridge Hunt, the daughter of Shocking was purchased by Bruce Perry Bloodstock for $60,000 from the Curraghmore draft at the 2017 NZB Select Yearling Sale.
Out of the Monjeu mare Bilancia, Nerve Not Verve is a half-sister to the Champion Stayer in NZ in 2018-19 Glory Days (Red Giant), whose 10 wins included the Group 1 Auckland Cup and Group II Auckland Avondale Cup.
Nerve Not Verve is the 19th black-type winner for Rich Hill Stud’s Melbourne Cup hero Shocking.
