Making her second start for Chris Waller, the former Darren Weir-trained filly Verry Elleegant made a one-act affair of Saturday's Group II Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Coming off a second-place finish in the Group III Vanity Stakes at Flemington on February 16, Verry Elleegant didn't give James McDonald the easiest of rides but in an all-filly finish, she defeated Seabrook (Hinchinbrook) by three and a half lengths with Aristia (Lonhro) one and three-quarter of a length back in third. (images Steve Hart)
"She's very good but she needs to relax. It's hard to explain, she's awkward rather than being fierce," McDonald said.
"She just doesn't give herself a rest. I think she just wants to go a bit quicker. Give her a fast run race and you'd see something. It's nice when they win like that."
Chris Waller said he was not overly consigned by Verry Elleegant's high head carriage despite the addition of a nose roll.
"It's not something you can change quickly, it's just time, let them relax and be horses, Waller said.
"As you can see, we've got a nose roll on but it's not helping, maybe we take it off I don't know. We won't worry about it today, we'll just enjoy the win.
"[The Vinery] seems logical, and a nice stepping stone. She had a minor setback after her first-up run which was well documented so I guess she was a little bit fresh but hopeful today's run can just bring her back and she gets a bit of confidence. Certainly, she has got the ability there. A few little changes and she'll be right on the job."
The winner of the Group III Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield last spring, Verry Elleegant advances her record to 4 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third from 9 starts with earnings of $291,619.
The Verry Elleegant story began at the New Zealand Bloodstock Autumn Mixed Sale in 2007 when the filly's part-owner and former trainer Nick Bishara outlaid $5,000 for a Danroad yearling filly that he named Opulence.
She won two races before Bishara sold her for $14,000, carrying a positive test to Towkay, at the 2011 Mixed Sale at Karaka to Don Goodwin who is a shareholder in the stallion Zed.
Both Bishara and Goodwin were attracted to Opulence because she traced back to Cambridge Stud's blue hen Eight Carat who is also the fourth dam of Zed.
The two struck up a friendship and raced Verry Elleegant and kept a part of her when clients of trainer Darren Weir came knocking.
Verry Elleegant is the best of three winners out of Opulence whose granddam Chalet Girl (Imposing) is a half-sister to Danewin and Commands.
Opulence has a 2yo colt by Haradasun named Grand Prospect. After missing to Zed in 2016 she had a colt by the son of Zabeel last season before being bred back to him last spring.
