Caulfield Cup 2020: Sydney mare Verry Elleegant takes out Group 1, but Chris Waller far from finished
Sydney trainer Chris Waller now has a Caulfield Cup to add to his four Cox Plates and, if his comments about winning the Melbourne Cup are true, he’s going to give it a mighty shake.
SuperRacing
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperRacing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Minutes after pocketing his first Caulfield Cup with Verry Elleegant, Chris Waller set his sights on completing the spring carnival’s trilogy in next month’s Melbourne Cup.
With Winx’s four Cox Plates and Saturday’s Caulfield Cup trophy secured, Waller believes Verry Elleegant can land her third Group 1 in succession — and seventh overall — by pressing for Melbourne Cup victory on November 3.
Waller is yet to win the Melbourne Cup.
Asked if Verry Elleegant could join a select group of horses to land the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double, Waller was unequivocal.
“It‘s (Caulfield Cup success) the best form, I think, for any Melbourne Cup,” he said. “With her weight, obviously it‘s going to be difficult and she’s got to settle and do things right.”
Verry Elleegant can be penalised for her slender Caulfield Cup victory over English Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck, who was brave with 58.5kg in almost overhauling the winner.
Waller faces a dilemma over who rides Verry Elleegant in the Melbourne Cup — either Mark Zahra, who icily superb on Saturday, or her regular rider James McDonald.
Verry Elleegant.
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 17, 2020
6 GROUP 1S.
She's a winner.
🌟 Caulfield Cup
🌟 Turnbull Stakes
🌟 Winx Stakes
🌟 Tancred Stakes
🌟 ATC Oaks
🌟 Vinery Stud Stakes pic.twitter.com/6KeBSpy2w1
“We‘ve got to question who we put on her,” Waller said, revealing the mare’s owners would have the final say.
“We‘ve got a decision to make there,” Waller said. “We can‘t thank Mark enough for winning two Group 1 races on her and he might win a third.
“She’s not the easiest of horses to train and she’s not the easiest of horses to ride in a race.
“Midway through the race today I knew we had our work cut out against this class of field, international form.
“I know how good she is but you still question whether she can win with 55 kilos. For a mare, it‘s a pretty big task in a Caulfield Cup.
“At the 100 metre mark I thought she was beaten … and she actually dug deep and came away so it was a pretty satisfying win.”
What a MARE!
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 17, 2020
Verry Elleegant is the Caulfield Cup hero for 2020! pic.twitter.com/Rl8Z6lzJtC
Waller said he hoped The Everest would be run at night in future to avoid a clash with the Caulfield Cup.
“The first one was pretty good and was very emotional for me,” he said after finally winning the race with his 20th runner in the Cup.
“Not being there today isn‘t quite the same. I hope in years to come The Everest will be run at night and Racing NSW will put a plane on for us.
“It is certainly very special.”
Waller inherited Verry Elleegant after Darren Weir’s disqualification and was told by the owners the mare was more likely a Cups horse than Cox Plate contender.
“When she came to me to be trained they said she‘s a Caulfield, Melbourne Cup horse so I think that stuck in my mind. I’ve won the Cox Plate before.”
.@cwallerracing now has a Caulfield Cup to his name. ðŸ‘👠pic.twitter.com/NfCuIgIyjt
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 17, 2020
TAB cut Verry Elleegant’s Melbourne Cup quote to $11, where she shares the third line of betting with Anthony Van Dyck.
Tiger Moth remains $6 favourite ahead of Russian Camelot and Surprise, both at $10.
Declan Bates was suspended for 10 meetings for careless riding aboard True Self, while stewards took no action over the interference suffered by Avilius.
MELBOURNE CUP BETTING UPDATE
Verry Elleegant $17-$11
Anthony Van Dyck $17-$13
Prince Of Arran $21-$17
The Chosen One $51-$26
Warning $21-$34
True Self and Vow And Declare $34-$51
Avilius $101-$51
Dashing Willoughby $26-$101
Market: TAB Fixed odds
RACE 7: WINNER ON ANOTHER PLANET
Wild Planet eased some of Team Hawkes’ Epsom Handicap frustration with narrow victory in the Group 2 Moonga Stakes (1200m), which might signal the end of the gelding’s spring campaign.
Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes sent Wild Planet back to Melbourne after his luckless ninth in the Epsom and were rewarded with a clinical ride by Hugh Bowman.
“He ran good in the Epsom but he got back further than what we thought,” Wayne Hawkes said.
“But (on Saturday at Caulfield) he was three back the fence from the barrier and Hugh just took his time, smoked his pipe and I wasn’t upset when they were taking each other on up front, just quietly.
“Hugh Bowman said to me during the week, what you see with this bloke, is what you get.
“He’s a pure racehorse. He’s not the best horse ever but his will to win is amazing.”
Hawkes said the stable would assess Wild Planet, who overhauled Morrissy in the last stride, before making a decision on his next start.
“We just wanted to get through this race. You know what we’re like, we’ll pull the plug and go to the paddock if we have to,” Hawkes said.
“It’s always wet in the autumn in Sydney. He’s done a really, really good job this time around.
“It would have been good to be a bit closer to see how he would have finished the mile off the other day in Sydney, anyway winners are grinners.”
Bowman was impressed.
“I could’ve been a bit more patient and followed Craig (Williams on Morrissy) through but I felt that I was going supremely well and when I had the opportunity to come to the outside, the horse did the rest.”
RACE 6: MANIKATO IN PLAY
Peter Snowden might back-up California Zimbol in Friday night’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes at The Valley after the mare’s brilliant Alinghi Stakes victory.
Perfectly ridden by Mark Zahra, California Zimbol held off Fituese and Prophet’s Thumb to log her fifth win from 11 starts.
Snowden says he will consider sending his brilliant mare back to the races on Friday.
“I haven’t done it before but it’s been in the back of my mind for quite a while. I just wanted to see what she did today,” Snowden said.
“I certainly wouldn’t rule it out.”
RACE 5: CHICA GOES BOOM
Anthony and Sam Freedman will resist the temptation to follow a well-worn pathway into the VRC Oaks after Chica Fuerte’s tenacious Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) win.
The race has launched the careers of Verry Elleegant, Pinot, Set Square and Arapaho Miss, but the Freedmans will take a more conservative line.
“The Wakeful will be a nice race for her if she comes through this well,” Sam Freedman said after the stable notched a Caulfield double.
“The Oaks is probably not on the agenda at this stage. It’s a very testing 2500m and we think she’s probably a preparation away still and the Wakeful will be a nice grand final.”
Ridden by Ben Melham, Chica Fuerte fended off Salto Angel and Star Of Eden to land her second win from six starts.
RACE 4: COLT EMERGES FROM THE PACK
Albarado did a lot wrong early but did everything right at the business end of Saturday’s Neds Classic (2000m).
TAB cut Albarado’s Victoria Derby price from $26 to $11 after his win but the bookmaker would have been excused for thinking about easing his quote early in the $200,000 Neds Classic.
The three-year-old over-raced under jockey Mark Zahra early in the race, which left him three and four-wide until getting into a rhythm more like a Victoria Derby hopeful in the back straight.
A muddling tempo forced Zahra to push Albarado to improve his position from the 800m but the son of Savabeel still had plenty of work to do as he took a wide path around the home turn.
However, Albarado still had enough in the tank to outlast his rivals in the straight, holding on to beat the $4.4o favourite Let’s Karaka Deel and the fast finishing Hit The Shot ($10).
“This horse has been spot on all the way through and it’s always been the aim (to get him to the Derby), so hopefully we can get there in a couple of weeks,” Trent Busuttin, who trains Albarardo in partnership with Natalie Young, said.
Busuttin won the 2011 Victoria Derby with Sangster, who ran second in the Ned Classic, when it was known as the Norman Robinson Stakes.
Albarado races in the same colours as Sangster.
RACE 3: FREEDMAN ON THE BOARD
The Carbine Club and Sandown Guineas have emerged as potential targets for Endanger, impressive winner of the Listed Gothic Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Ridden conservatively by Jye McNeil, the Medaglia D’oro gelding provided Sam Freedman with his first winner of the Caulfield Cup carnival as a trainer.
“It’s nice to get that one on the board and for Godolphin who have been good supporters of the whole family. We’re very fortunate to be getting a horse like this.”
Freedman’s father Anthony and uncle Lee trained Endanger’s dam Hazard.
“We had the full-brother last year who unfortunately is no longer with us anymore,” he said.
“This is the last one of the family. I think Hazard passed away, so he’s destined to be a good horse now.
“He’s very lazy. It looked like he had a lot to offer but there was a lot of idling until well into the straight. I think we’ll go to the Carbine Club now and then possibly onto the Sandown Guineas. He’s a horse on the way up and in three or four months’ time he can improve.”
RACE 2: DREAM ALIVE
Incredulous Dream hadn’t raced for six weeks but trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace had the filly fit enough to get home at juicy odds in the QMS Media Plate (1400m).
The three-year-old hadn’t raced since a well-held seventh in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on September 5 but was strong at the end of Saturday’s $135,000 race.
Jockey Ben Melham gave Incredulous Dream ($12) the last crack at the leaders, over-running on-pacers Yes Baby Yes ($8.50) and the well-backed $2 favourite Rainbiel to win by a neck.
“She hadn’t raced for six weeks so she went around pretty fresh so I thought I’d better take a trail. Because she was fresh she was just on the bridle a little bit,” Melham said.
“She had a lovely run and when I felt for her she stuck her head out on the line. She’ll probably improve with the run.”
Eustace said he and Maher could target a stakes race for three-year-old fillies with Incredulous Dream over the Flemington carnival.
RACE 1: POWER SCHEME
The Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes camp were relieved to break an annoying run of seconds when Power Scheme landed the money in the ZircoDATA Handicap (1700m).
Hayes and Dabernig prepared the runners-up in both the Thousand Guineas and Caulfield Guineas last Saturday but the wheel turned their way when Power Scheme came from well off the pace on the home turn to score on Saturday.
“It’s a bit of a relief,” Hayes said.
“The horse has been running really well but unfortunately we (the stable) have been coming second quite a bit and all in the group races, so it’s a credit to the team. It’s been a bit frustrating but really good to finally get a winner.”
Hayes said Zahra’s cool ride was the major factor in the $2.80 favourite Power Scheme overhauling the $51 chance All Hard Wood late in the race.
“I was a bit worried at the top of the straight but Mark didn’t panic and he rode for luck, and we got the luck at the right time,” Hayes said.
TAB BIG BETS
RACE ONE
Power Scheme got things off to a great start for punters by taking out the ZircoDATA Handicap (1700m).
The Dabernig & Hayes-trained runner was easily the most popular horse in the race, holding a whopping 60 percent of the total investment.
All hard Wood ($51) and Just Like Mum ($13) added some spice to the exotics.
Power Scheme $2,000 @ $2.70
RACE TWO
Incredulous Dream ($11-$9.50-$11) carried some decent bets but the real story of the QMS Media Plate was the massive support for the favourite.
Rainbiel ($2.25-$2) was smashed throughout the afternoon and went around as one of the most popular horses across the country.
Holding over 61 percent of the total investment on the race, Rainbiel was also a fancy with multi players.
Incredulous Dream held less than 10 percent of the money that Rainbiel did. Of the others, Yosemite ($7) had admirers as did Scream Dream ($9) while Yes Baby Yes ($6-$8.50) was the most popular outside the favourite.
BETS: Incredulous Dream $1,000 @ $11
BETS: Yosemite $1,000 @ $6.50 TWICE
BETS: Rainbiel $10,000 @ $2, $6,000 @ $2, $4,000 @ $2, $2,200 @ $2
RACE THREE
The money suggested Endanger would be hardest to beat in the Polytrack Gothic Stakes (1400m) and that was certainly the case.
Out of the powerful James Cummings yard, Endanger ($4.20-$3.60) was the best backed runner in the race and was more than twice as popular as any other horse.
Just A Tribute ($9-$8) was a good push after being $18 earlier in the week while Osamu ($3.50-$4.60) did his best to defy the betting drift.
BETS: Endanger $1,500 @ $3.70, $1,000 @ $3.70 MULTIPLE TIMES, $5,000 @ $3.60, $2,000 e/w @ $3.60/$1.55
BETS: Osamu $3,000 @ $4.60, $1,000 @ $4.60 TWICE
BETS: Saltpeter $1,000 @ $10
RACE FOUR
Albarado was too tough for his rivals in the Caulfield Classic (2000m).
The son of Savabeel was pretty solid at the $5 for most of the day and bottomed out at $4.60 before jumping a very popular $5 chance.
Only Let’s Karaka Deel ($4.40) held more money than the winner. In fact, the runner-up was twice as popular as Albarado.
Of the others, Redwood Shadow ($6.50) was close up in fourth and ran up to the support for it while Cetshwayo ($6) had admirers and Hit The Shot (9-$10) attracted some serious bets late.
The Pres ($11-$8), stablemate to the winner, was the subject of strong eachway interest.
BETS: Albarado $2,000 @ $5, $1,000 @ $5
BETS: Lets Karaka Deal $2,000 @ $4.40 MULTIPLE TIMES, $2,500 @ $4.20
BETS: Hit The Shot $5,620 @ $11, $4,000 x $1,000 e/w @ $10/$3
RACE FIVE
The big move for Silhouette failed to come off in the Lexus Ethereal Stakes (2000m).
TAB went up $10 about her chances on Wednesday and since then it was just a constant stream of money for the Godolphin runner. Such was the weight of support that she was backed into $3.90 favourite!
Chica Fuerta ($5-$6) had decent money riding on her but was overshadowed in the popularity stakes by Silhouette, Succeed Indeed, Starelle and Pensato.
BETS: Chica Fuerte $4,000 @ $6
BETS: Silhouette $3,000 x $1,000 e/w @ $4.20/$1.75, $2,000 @ $4, $1,720 @ $4, $1,000 @ $4 MULTIPLE TIMES, $2,100 @ $3.90
RACE SIX
Punters deemed it a race in two and that is how the Carlton Draught Alinghi Stakes (1100m) unfolded.
Fituese ($2.50-$2.30) went around a clear popular pick with TAB customers while California Zimbol ($3.70) was the only one seriously tried to knock off the fav. Between the pair, they were responsible for nearly 70 percent of the market!
In the end, it was the second elect which narrowly held on from Fituese with Prophet’s Thumb ($14) winding up third.
BETS: California Zimbol $6,000 @ $3.70, $4,250 @ $3.70
BETS: Fituese $9,000 @ $2.40
BETS: Pinyin $1,000 @ $7 MULTIPLE TIMES
RACE SEVEN
Alfa Oro was very costly in the McCafe Caulfield Sprint (1000m).
The Matt Laurie runner was hammered throughout the day and went $2.15 into as low as $1.90 before starting $1.95.
Alfa Oro held nearly 60 percent of the money and was five times as popular as anything else in the race.
It wasn’t as though there wasn’t specking for other runners though. The winner, Graff, was specked all day and firmed from $12-$8 to be the best mover outside the favourite.
BETS: Graff $1,000 @ $9 MULTIPLE TIMES
BETS: Alfa Oro $5,000 @ $2.25, $2,547 @ $2.25, $1,500 @ $2.20, $6,000 @ $2.15, $41,500 @ $2, $9,000 @ $1.95, $3,000 @ $1.95, $6,000 @ $1.90
RACE EIGHT
Wild Planet was pretty solid for most of the day although did get out late in the running of the Moonga Stakes (1400m).
Ridden perfectly by Hugh Bowman, Wild Planet ($4.80-$5.50) had its fair share of support throughout the afternoon and was one of the best tried runners outside the easing favourite in Windstorm ($2.40-$3).
The Grant & Alana Williams runner was responsible for more than three times the amount of money than anything else in the race.
Fifty Stars ($14-$8.50-$12), which had been $26 earlier in the week, was a decent speck throughout the day as was The Inevitable ($10-$7). Best Of Days ($5.50-$5) opened $11 on Wednesday.
BETS: Wild Planet $2,500 @ $5.50, $1,000 @ $5.50 MULTIPLE TIMES, $1,200 @ $5, $1,500 @ $4.60
BETS: Windstorm $3,000 x $15,000 e/w @ $2.80/$1.40, $9,900 @ $3.10
RACE NINE
It was a horror result for TAB with Verry Elleegant proving too tough for her rivals in the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Chris Waller’s top mare went around as the most popular runner in the race and accounted for 25 percent of the market.
One TAB customer was praising her toughness and Mark Zahra’s ride after collecting $150,000 thanks to a $30k outlay.
The late money arrived for Anthony Van Dyck ($7.50-$6.50) which was only narrowly off the mark.
Master Of Wine ($7) was popular all day while Dalasan ($14), Toffee Tongue ($18) and Buckhurst ($12) all attracted strong support throughout the day.
BETS: Verry Elleegant $30,000 @ $5, $2,500 e/w @ $5/$2, $7,000 @ $5, $5,000 @ $5, $4,000 @ $5, $2,000 @ $5
BETS: Dalasan $1,000 e/w @ $15/$3.60, $1,000 @ $14
BETS: Chapada $2,000 e/w @ $21/$6, $1,000 @ $19
BETS: Master Of Wine $5,000 @ $8, $2,000 @ $8, $3,000 @ $7.50, $1,000 @ $7.50 MULTIPLE TIMES, $5,000 @ $7
BETS: Anthony Van Dyck $4,000 @ $7.50, $1,000 @ $7.50 MULTIPLE TIMES, $3,000 @ $7, $1,000 @ $7 MULTIPLE TIMES
BETS: Dashing Willoughby $2,000 e/w @ $26/$7.25
BETS: Warning $1,000 e/w @ $19/$5.50
BETS: Finche $1,000 @ $10, $1,000 @ $9.50, $1,000 @ $9 MULTIPLE TIMES
BETS: Toffee Tongue $4,000 x $1,500 e/w @ $17/$5, $1,000 e/w @ $17/$5 TWICE
RACE 10
Chris Waller finished things off with a double after Madam Rouge defied the betting drift to land the Schweppes Tristarc Stakes (1400m).
Madam Rouge had been $6 at the start of the day but went all the way out to $10 before jumping a $9.50 chance.
Ben Melham stuck to the inside lanes to overhaul She Shao Fly ($7) and Felicia ($3.60), the latter attracting decent backing throughout the day.
Perfect Jewel ($3.90-$3.20) was costly once again as it went around as the most popular runner in front of Pretty Brazen ($4.40-$5.50-$5).
BETS: Perfect Jewel $5,000 @ $3.20 MULTIPLE TIMES
BETS: Felicia $13,500 @ $3.60, $2,000 e/w @ $3.60 TWICE
Originally published as Caulfield Cup 2020: Sydney mare Verry Elleegant takes out Group 1, but Chris Waller far from finished