Chris Waller reflects on awesome spring with Verry Elleegant but says top mare is far from finished

After an epic spring, trainer Chris Waller believes there’s more on the horizon for erry Elleegant in 2021. Here’s what lies in store for the super mare.

Verry Elleegant is back in pre-training. Picture: Pat Scala

As Chris Waller closed the curtain on a remarkable spring preparation for Verry Elleegant, the building blocks were already being put in place for her next Group 1 assaults.

Verry Elleegant returned to pre-training at Wild Oaks Farm last week with the star mare beginning the early stages of her build up for a 2021 autumn tilt as Waller took time to reflect on her epic spring.

The star daughter of Zed confirmed her status as the clear standout in Waller’s yard during the 2020 and proved herself as arguably Australia’s best horse following a stunning spring carnival that included three Group 1s.

Verry Elleegant is back in pre-training at Wild Oaks and by all reports has returned as good as ever. @SkyRacingAU @Racing @7horseracing pic.twitter.com/OrFRFEVFBh

— Chris Waller Racing (@cwallerracing) December 2, 2020

“She is an amazing horse and has come back well,” Waller said.

“I am lucky enough to keep the Group 1 trophies and I was putting them away with my wife (Stephanie) through the week.

“I was giving to her and she was writing down the names because they are a big deal and it was Verry Elleegant, Verry Elleegant, Verry Elleegant.

“It just shows how good she was and calling out the races, it was the Winx that means a lot to us, it was the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup — so it was three pretty special trophies to store away.”

Verry Elleegant, which finished a fast-finishing seventh in the Melbourne Cup, will have a main autumn aim of going one better in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Verry Elleegant has the Queen Elizabeth in her sights. Picture: Scott Barbour

She was runner-up to English raider Addeybb in 2020 after four sensational lead up runs in the Apollo Stakes (fourth placing), Chipping Norton Stakes (second), Ranvet Stakes (second) and Tancred Stakes (first).

“She will follow a similar path to last autumn,” Waller said.

“She did a great job coming second to Addeybb twice and winning the (Tancred Stakes).

“Once she is fit it will be the Ranvet, Tancred and Queen Elizabeth.”

At just five-year-olds old, Waller is confident Verry Elleegant has plenty of good racing in front of her.

Originally published as Chris Waller reflects on awesome spring with Verry Elleegant but says top mare is far from finished