2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes runner-by-runner form assessments and selections

Racenet’s Clinton Payne presents his tips and form assessment for each of the runners in Saturday’s Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes at Randwick.

Via Sistina is reunited with James McDonald on Saturday in the Verry Elleegant Stakes. Photo: George Sal/Getty Images.

The $1 million Verry Elleegant Stakes has brought together some of Australia’s best gallopers, with a field of nine runners declared for the 1600m weight-for-age contest that was formerly known as the Chipping Norton Stakes.

Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

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1 – CEOLWULF

Quality middle distance performer that should strip fitter from the first-up outing. The outside barrier means he’s likely to go back and need a lot fall his way but he is two from three second-up and has an identical record over this track and trip.

VERDICT: Not the ideal set-up but is all class.

🏇 Memorable Racing Moments 2⃣0⃣2⃣4⃣...

You got the sense that @PrideRacing's Ceolwulf was on the verge of something big during the spring. After taking the TAB Epsom he was still underrated in betting markets for the King Charles III... then he and @SchofieldChad did this 👇 pic.twitter.com/Uujzb1NC1F

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 25, 2024

2 – ZARAKEM

Former French galloper that has won at Group 2 level over 2000m. Also finished second to Auguste Rodin in the Prince Of Wales’s at Royal Ascot and did beat most home when sixth last year in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m). Never raced below 2000m but looked quite sharp in his first trial over 1000m before being ridden out over 1250m behind Pericles and Ducasse.

VERDICT: Has the credentials to be a serious weight-for-age horse in Australia but unsure at 1600m.

Superstar! Auguste Rodin lands the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/HtKbTi7kIb

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 19, 2024

3 – FAWKNER PARK 

At his best racing in a clockwise direction. He was one of the star players during the winter in Brisbane last year then failed in two Melbourne spring runs before recapturing winning form over 2000m in the Rosehill Gold Cup. Done nothing to excite in two trials.

VERDICT: These will be too sharp for him.

A breathtaking finish in the Rosehill Gold Cup with Fawkner Park victorious with @G1TySchil on board for @ANeashamRacing! 🏆@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/jgabNgZwBk

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 2, 2024

4 – ARAPAHO

Stuck on OK when resuming with a fifth in the Apollo Stakes after racing close to the speed. Better suited out to the mile but this will bring him on again and when he gets to 2000m and beyond, he’ll come right into calculations.

VERDICT: Looks to be coming up well but not this week.

WOW! The superstar of Australian racing Via Sistina dominates the $3 million Group 1 TAB Champions Stakes. JMac with a perfect 10 ⭐

🎥 @wwos | #StakesDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/wd6nRG1qhA

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 9, 2024

5 – LINDERMANN

Led and dictated when resuming and didn’t shirk the task when second in the Apollo Stakes. Again shapes as the horse to set the tempo and does have an excellent second-up record (6:3-1-1). He is a Group 1 winner at 2000m and retains Nash Rawiller in the saddle.

VERDICT: Always beware of Nash on a leader that dictates in a small field.

'Magic Man found a way!' 🐇🎩

Lindermann gets the split under @cavaleiro83 and chases down Spirit Ridge to take the Group 3 Craven Plate at Randwick for @cwallerracing. pic.twitter.com/Z26JpMdphg

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 26, 2024

6 – LAND LEGEND

Caulfield Cup placegetter resuming. He looked sharp in his trials last prep but needed a couple of runs then won The Metropolitan. Hasn’t been as sharp to the eye in his two trials coming into this campaign but is a two-time winner at Randwick from three starts.

VERDICT: Likely to need the run and his record indicates he wants 2400m and beyond.

Five Diamonds winner Pericles leads all the way to win a Kensington trial on Thursday. The @godolphin gelding held off Ducasse with a few lengths to French import Zarakem in third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/tfHipuhBfb

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 12, 2025

7 – GOLDEN PATH

Had his chance resuming in the Apollo Stakes, only beating two runners home. Raced close to the speed but couldn’t quicken when the sprint went on, holding his ground late. Expected to strip fitter and better suited out to the mile but class is the query.

VERDICT: Not good enough but this should set him up for more suitable races.

Solid gold! 🥇

Golden Path makes it three straight and takes the Premier's Cup Prelude, with @SchofieldChad riding a wining double!@MickPriceRacingpic.twitter.com/ZWp6Kzf87m

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 10, 2024

8 – VIA SISTINA

Highest rated horse in the land and was far from disgraced when resuming with a third in the Apollo Stakes. Better suited out to the mile, James McDonald returns to the saddle and it’s unlikely she’ll find herself in restricted room on the inside of runners being drawn out.

VERDICT: The horse they have to beat.

🏇 Memorable Racing Moments 2⃣0⃣2⃣4⃣...

We knew Via Sistina was good... but this win in the Winx Stakes over the unsuitable 1400m gave us the first glimpses that she could be truly great! @cwallerracingpic.twitter.com/RapbMZFs8W

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 29, 2024

9 – FANGIRL

The race played out perfectly first-up when able to dictate position to Via Sistina in running then use her turn of foot to win a second Apollo Stakes. She’s a genuine Group 1 weight-for-age galloper that has a tactical speed advantage over her main rivals and is suited on firm ground.

VERDICT: Genuine winning chance again.

We are fans!!!

Fangirl makes it back-to-back Apollo Stakes 🙌@cwallerracing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/a0XgcxkMs0

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 15, 2025

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TIPS
1st – VIA SISTINA (No. 8)
2nd – FANGIRL (No. 9)
3rd – CEOLWULF (No. 1)
4th – ZARAKEM (No. 2)

Originally published as 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes runner-by-runner form assessments and selections