Verry Elleegant supplied Chris Waller with a primary Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (G1) success final 12 months and she or he repeated the feat in Australia’s greatest race Nov. 2, the Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) when sealing a terrific tenth top-level win within the Flemington showpiece.
The star mare added the all-important contest to Waller’s illustrious CV with a four-length victory over sizzling favourite Incentivise, with the Andrew Balding-trained Spanish Mission half a length back in third and Floating Artist , formerly trained by Richard Hannon, a head behind in fourth.
Verry Elleegant, Australia’s Horse of the Year in 2020-21, finished strongly from stall 15 to finish seventh last year and had an even wider draw from stall 19 to overcome this time, but gained a more prominent position under James McDonald and cruised into contention on the turn in.
Incentivise, who was later found to have swelling to his near-fore, hit the front on the approach to the home straight, but was soon headed by Verry Elleegant inside the final furlong and a half. The race, worth AU$8 million (about US$6 million), was as good as over.
SHE IS AMAZING. ❤💙
VERRY ELLEEGANT WINS HER 10TH GROUP 1 IN THE LEXUS #MELBOURNECUP.@cwallerracing @FlemingtonVRC pic.twitter.com/L2p2W6EtNB
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 2, 2021
Waller, who will without end be related to marvel mare Winx and watched at home with his family in Sydney, said, “When she crossed the line, I was very emotional. I really wanted to be there to share it with the staff and those who have worked so hard, but to watch it with my family, made it very, very special.
“It makes it pretty special to have another mare like this one. She’s so brave, so determined, and so good. We’ve had some great wins and important wins and this is certainly one of them. It’s going to take a while to sink in. She was the class horse and showed that with a finish I’ll never forget.”
Last year’s winner Twilight Payment , the other European-trained runner, failed to get the lead early and finished 11th, while in the same Lloyd Williams silks, British-born jockey Rachel King finished 17th on Pondus on her first ride in the race.
Fortune was on the side of McDonald, similarly winning the race for the first time, as until Thursday he was booked to ride the Ismail Mohammed-trained Away He Goes , who was ruled out with a tendon injury.
Waller decided to run Verry Elleegant, a group 1 winner over distances ranging from seven furlongs to two miles and the conqueror of Addeybb in the Ranvet Stakes (G1) in March, on Saturday morning.
Jockey James McDonald praises Verry Elleegant after their win in the Melbourne Cup
McDonald said, “This means everything and to do it on Verry Elleegant is extra special as she’s been along for the ride for so many seasons now.
“This has cemented her place right at the top with those real good horses because what she’s done over varying trips over the years is just incredible.
“I love her to bits and she’s been so good to me. I’ve always dreamed of winning the Melbourne Cup but never thought I would win one as it’s so hard to do it.
“I was booked for Away He Goes and sadly he went amiss, but when one door closes another one opens. Myself and Chris have had a lot of luck together and it helps when you get horses like this.”
Verry Elleegant became the 17th filly or mare to win the race and the first to finish in the top three since Makybe Diva struck in 2005. She completed a rare 1-2 for part-owner Brae Sokolski, who has shares in the winner and Incentivise, one of the shortest-priced favorites in the race’s 160-year history.
Sokolski, whose emotions got the better of him when breaking COVID-19 protocols to enter the winner’s enclosure, said, “I’m so apologetic about breaking the COVID-19 protocols but I just wanted to be with the mare and also with Incentivise, so the adrenaline got the better of me. But at these moments, they’re once in a lifetime. It’s extraordinary and the most humbling moment of my life.
“Incentivise was the hype horse and we did think he would win, but we still had so much faith in Verry Elleegant and at the 300-meter mark when I saw those colors on the outside, I knew the race was over. To do what she has done takes her to the upper echelons of the pantheon of Australia’s greatest racehorses.
“It’s a dream come true having a runner, let alone a winner, let alone the Quinella (forecast). It’s a special day and a privilege.”
Following a spate of fatalities in recent years, Racing Victoria will have been pleased to report no such news for this renewal, although Incentivise and ninth Tralee Rose sustained injuries.
The Caulfield Cup winner was examined by Peter Moody’s vet and his condition will be assessed over the next few days, while the latter will stay overnight at Werribee Vet Hospital, although scans revealed she sustained a laceration to a hind leg rather than any tendon damage.
Spanish Mission a ‘Gallant’ Third
Andrew Balding described Spanish Mission’s third in the Melbourne Cup as “a real thrill” for the whole team after they set their alarms to watch the big race unfold on Tuesday morning.
Craig Williams’ mount, owned by Team Valor and Gary Barber, traveled smoothly and looked a leading player turning into the straight. Despite being passed on his outside by the winner Verry Elleegant, the 5-year-old stayed on gamely to finish in the places.
Spanish Mission will be considered for the HK$20 million (about US$2.5 million) Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1), won by Mogul last year, at Sha Tin on Dec. 12.
Balding said: “I was thrilled with him and he’s run with real credit. I have to give a big thanks to everyone who has been involved—Tony Noonan and his son Tom have done a brilliant job with him, as has Neil Varley who has been riding him out there. Maddy O’Meara did the quarantine in Newmarket with him, so it’s been a big team effort.
“It was exciting getting up early to watch the race and it’s a big deal. All the staff were up in their various places to watch him run and everyone has got a real thrill out of it. I hope it’s not the last time we have a runner in the race.
“He has an invitation to go for the Hong Kong Vase, which is a possibility, but we’ll have to see how he comes out of the race.”
Spanish Mission captures the Yorkshire Cup at York Racecourse
Balding and Joseph O’Brien, responsible for last year’s winner Twilight Payment who finished 11th, were the only British or Irish trainers represented in this year’s race after enhanced veterinary procedures dissuaded other connections from making the journey.
Spanish Mission was forced to miss the first international shipment and the Caulfield Cup after having muscle spasms, then survived a late scare in the lead-up after vets reported swelling in a foreleg on Thursday and Friday.
Balding said: “I can see why they have changed the protocols but I’m sure they will review how it’s done, particularly in terms of the pre-travel scans. It’s their race though and it’s for them to decide what the protocol is going forward.”
Williams described Spanish Mission’s effort as “gallant” and praised Balding and his team for their preparation of the bet365 Doncaster Cup (G2) and Matchbook Yorkshire Cup (G2) winner, who landed Belmont Park‘s Jockey Membership Derby Invitational when skilled by David Simcock in 2019.
The jockey stated: “I could not have been any extra impressed together with his gallant efficiency. We had a pleasant run by means of, however when Verry Elleegant got here round me, she was towing.
“Spanish Mission ran a very good race and was combating it out for second. It was an important job by Andrew and his crew and what a gallant warrior to go to battle with, so I thank them for the chance.”
Twilight Cost carried six kilos greater than when profitable final 12 months and couldn’t lead from stall 2. He raced in mid-division however failed to bother the principals, crushed slightly below 20 lengths after shedding his left-fore shoe within the race.
His jockey Jye McNeill stated: “He wasn’t capable of get into his normal front-running position and on the midway level he actually struggled.”
