Trainers Chris Waller and Bjorn Baker got their 2021 Melbourne Cup preparations going in earnest with wins for their stars Verry Ellegant and She’s Ideel at Randwick on Saturday.
She’s Ideel took the Group 3 TAB Kingston Town Stakes in good style under Jason Collett. James McDonald was also successful in the saddle in the feature race. Verry Elleegant had to battle hard, but scored in the Group 1 Fujitsu General George Main Stakes.
See our complete Melbourne Cup Betting guide for more details on this year’s event.
Verry Elleegant Takes George Main After Unusual Training Regime
In the George Main Stakes over 1600 metres, Verry Ellegant was sent off at just $1.75. Despite being only fourth at the halfway point she was travelling well enough. Still fourth with 400 to go, push was coming to shove which is when this brilliant mare comes alive.
As the previously fast pace eventually collapsed, James McDonald’s mount took off late. Staying on stoutly, Verry Elleegant eventually got there to score by under a length.
She’s now put herself in a great position to better last year’s seventh place in the Melbourne Cup. The George Main gave her a ninth career Group 1 victory but a change in training regime adopted by Chris Waller may well have now seen more improvement from her.
The idea was to use an old trick to eke out the improvement. making the most of Verry Elleegant’s potential. Waller used dressage of all things in advance of this race with the mare as her Group 1 prep.
The training trick has been used in the past, most notably in Sydney. Given that she’s still seen as an immature horse, any change in regime could in theory unlock more of her undoubted potential and it seems this worked the oracle on Saturday.
It’ll be more than a little interesting to see what they do with her between now and November 2.
She’s Ideel Another Randwick Winner
Prolific top-level winner Verry Ellegant wasn’t the only horse entered in the Melbourne Cup to have won at Randwick over the weekend either.
Sydney-based trainer Bjorn Baker was also in the winners’ enclosure with his She’s Ideel. The Dundeel mare was tackling the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes for Baker and rider Jason Collett.
Coming into the race on the back of a slightly underwhelming seventh in the Chelmsford Stakes, more was needed from She’s Ideel this time. She delivered however in no uncertain terms.
Despite the presence of Chelmsford third Montefilia and form horse Spirit Ridge, she was sent off favourite.
Spirit Ridge was disappointing in the end, however Montefilia made the winner battle all the way. Battle she did however for a 1¼-length success, a run that shows her continued improvement as she heads for the big one in under six weeks’ time.
While winning a Group 3 on the same card as Verry Ellegant’s top-level success keeps her under the radar somewhat, punters are aware of her talent. More money came for her in the Melbourne Cup after this win and it’s now fascinating to see where she goes next.
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