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Ray Thomas’ verdict: Who’ll win the 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes?

Ray Thomas analyses the 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes, in which Cox Plate champ Via Sistina will again clash with her Apollo Stakes conqueror Fangirl and Epsom winner Ceolwulf.

Ray Thomas
4 min read
February 28, 2025 - 6:30AM
Key chances in Saturday's Verry Elleegant Stakes include (clockwise, from top left) Via Sistina, Fangirl, Ceolwulf and Lindermann.
Key chances in Saturday's Verry Elleegant Stakes include (clockwise, from top left) Via Sistina, Fangirl, Ceolwulf and Lindermann.

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas analyses the 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes, in which Cox Plate champ Via Sistina will again clash with her Apollo Stakes conqueror Fangirl and Epsom winner Ceolwulf.

Run over 1600m at Royal Randwick, the Group 1 contest boasts $1 million in prizemoney and a rich history in Sydney’s racing landscape. Previous winners include Winx (2016, 2017, 2019), Anamoe (2023), Tuesday Joy (2009), Grand Armee (2005), Lonhro (2003), Juggler (1996), Pharaoh (1995) and Emancipation (1984).

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HOW THE TOP FANCIES FARED IN THE MAIN LEAD-UPS

Apollo Stakes (1400m), Royal Randwick, February 15: Fangirl resumed with a brilliant win in the Apollo Stakes. Jockey Jason Collett had Fangirl poised to strike from the top of the rise where the mare unleashed her trademark finishing speed to defeat a crack field with authority. Lindermann raced on speed and fought hard for second while Via Sistina ran on late for a good third. Ceolwulf was last into the straight and hit the line well to finish just behind the placegetters. Arapaho showed speed early and held on well to finish fifth with Golden Path next home.

King Charles III Stakes (1600m), Royal Randwick, October 19, 2024: Ceolwulf followed his win in the Epsom Handicap with another brilliant effort over the Randwick 1600m course to win the King Charles III Stakes. Ceolwulf enjoyed the solid race tempo set by Pride Of Jenni before he unleashed a powerful late surge to reel in the leader near the line for a spectacular win. Fangirl had every chance and although she tried hard, finished only sixth, beaten four lengths.

• Clinton Payne’s Verry Elleegant Stakes runner-by-runner form assessment and tips

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THE FAVOURITES

The Verry Elleegant Stakes has been dominated by favourites with 20 successful in 30 years including nine in a row before Think It Over upset odds-on favourite Fangirl last year. The mighty Winx won the race four years in a row between 2016-19, starting at prohibitive odds of $1.08 for the fourth win. The only winners at double figure odds in the last three decades were He’s No Pie Eater at $81 in 2007 and $10 chance Danleigh in 2011.

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THE BARRIERS

The Randwick 1600m start is one of the fairest in racing with a long run of about 600m to the first turn. However, the Chipping Norton hasn’t always been run at Randwick with Warwick Farm used often until 2015. The only Chipping Norton winner to come from wider than barrier eight in the last three decades was Te Akau Shark out of gate 12 in 2020. The most successful starting position has been gate four with 10 winners including Winx twice in 2017 and 2019, and Verry Elleegant in 2021.

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TRAINERS

Chris Waller has won 10 Verry Elleegant Stakes since 2010 including Winx’s famous four-peat from 2016-19. Waller has equalled the race training record of 10 wins set by Tommy Smith. Waller has four entries in Saturday’s race including favourites Via Sistina and Fangirl.

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JOCKEYS

Champion jockey James McDonald, rider of Via Sistina, is chasing his fifth win in the Verry Elleegant Stakes after his successes on Anamoe (2023), Verry Elleegant (2021-22) and Contributer (2015). Hugh Bowman, who is based in Hong Kong these days, has ridden seven of Waller’s 10 Verry Elleegant Stakes winners including four in a row on Winx. Bowman holds the race riding record from McDonald, Darren Beadman, Billy Cook, Shane Dye, Kevin Langby, George Moore, Darby Munro and Fred Shean with four winners.

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SECTIONAL TIMES

Fangirl was at her brilliant best in the Apollo Stakes, ripping home her final 600m in a stunning 32.66s to win early. From the 400m, she reeled off a 200m sectional of 10.53s a she took control of the race. Via Sistina ran her final 600m in 32.75s and her closing 200m of 10.98s was the fastest of the race. Ceolwulf’s final 600m was a race-best 32.63s.

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SPEED MAP

Lindermann controlled the Apollo Stakes race tempo from the front when he finished a good second two weeks ago and he looks likely to lead unopposed again. It’s unlikely Lindermann will be out to break the Randwick mile record but he will set a solid speed which brings the backmarkers into the contest.

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AND THE VERDICT IS … VIA SISTINA

Via Sistina won four Group 1 races last spring including the Cox Plate by eight lengths in track record time before resuming with a good third in Fangirl’s Apollo Stakes. Via Sistina was following Fangirl over the rise but the winner sprinted brilliantly to open up a decisive lead. Via Sistina was doing her best work on the line, breaking 11s for her final 200m as she closed late for third. She is awkwardly drawn and is likely to go back early but getting out to 1600m is in her favour.

Ceolwulf is a Randwick mile specialist and is very effective second-up from a spell. His effort to finish fourth in the Apollo Stakes was excellent, particularly his sectionals over the last 600m. He has a devastating finishing burst, as he demonstrated to win the Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes over this course and distance last spring. Ceolwulf is drawn out with Via Sistina and will also need to come from back in the field.

Fangirl is a remarkable mare with elite finishing speed as she showed with her Apollo Stakes win. She has returned in great form and the barrier draw gives her an advantage. Fangirl will settle in front of her two main rivals, Via Sistina and Ceolwulf, and they are going to need to be right on their game to run her down.

Lindermann is going to get complete control up front and will take some catching on the evidence of his excellent Apollo Stakes return. Arapaho is second-up and might be looking for further now while Golden Path can improve but he is up against the best weight-for-age horses in training.

Zarakem is an interesting runner from the Ciaron Maher stable. A Group 2 winner in France, Zarakem also ran a close second to Auguste Rodin in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and was sixth in Bluestocking’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe which is outstanding European form. Zarakem has had two solid barrier trials and can run a competitive race at his Australian debut.

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RAY’S TIPS
1 VIA SISTINA
2 Ceolwulf
3 Fangirl
4 Lindermann
Best 0utsider: Zarakem

Originally published as Ray Thomas’ verdict: Who’ll win the 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes?

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/racing/ray-thomas-verdict-wholl-win-the-2025-verry-elleegant-stakes/news-story/60edeb3424e5d674556064f07343f5f8