After 18 runners battled it out in Melbourne, Verry Elleegant has emerged the victor from Saturday’s Caulfield Cup.
With Victoria stuck in lockdown, racing fans were treated to a thrilling contest, with Verry Elleegant winning the highly-anticipated 2400m event.
Powering through the midfield without any spectators cheering in the stands, Verry Elleegant steamed ahead of the pack to secure a sixth Group 1 level victory.
Anthony Van Dyck and The Chosen One finished in second and third respectively, while Prince Of Arran crossed the line fourth.
After winning his first Caulfield Cup, Verry Elleegant trainer Chris Waller told Channel 7: “It is different when you’re not there, but it is a very special win with a very special horse.
“I thought she was beat tonight tell you the truth at the 100m mark and she dug so deep.”
Verry Elleegant will take home $3 million in prizemoney.
It was the ninth race of the day in Caulfield, and we’ll be keeping you updated with all the latest results as the day wears on.
Click here for a full runner-by-runner preview of the Caulfield Cup along with tips, odds, expert opinion and betting strategies.
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RACE SCHEDULE
RACE 1
1st: Power Scheme
2nd: All Hard Wood
3rd: Just Like Mum
4th: Wild Vitality
RACE 2
1st: Incredulous Dream
2nd: Yes Baby Yes
3rd: Rainbiel
4th: No Restriction
RACE 3
1st: Endanger
2nd: Osamu
3rd: So Let’s Toast
4th: Saltpeter
RACE 4
1st: Albarado
2nd: Let’s Karaka Deel
3rd: Hit The Shot
4th: Redwood Shadow
RACE 5
1st: Chica Fuerte
2nd: Salto Angel
3rd: Star Of Eden
4th: Pensato
RACE 6
1st: California Zimbol
2nd: Fituese
3rd: Prophet’s Thumb
4th: Humma Humma
RACE 7
1st: Graff
2nd: Fabergino
3rd: Crystal Dreamer
4th: Alfa Oro
RACE 8
1st: Wild Planet
2nd: Morrissy
3rd: Fifty Stars
4th: Morvada
RACE 9 (Caulfield Cup)
1st: Verry Elleegant
2nd: Anthony Van Dyck
3rd: The Chosen One
4th: Prince Of Arran
RACE 10
1st: Madam Rouge
2nd: She Shao Fly
3rd: Felicia
4th: The Closer
WINX OWNER HOPING FOR BRIGHT END TO SAD WEEK
Tears have flowed in the home of Winx’s part-owner Peter Tighe over the last few days but a Caulfield Cup win with Finche would be just the pick-me-up that’s needed at the end of a tragic week.
Tighe’s wife Patty has been making regular phone calls to check on the welfare of Winx after she lost her first foal in a sad development which touched the racing world, punters.com.au reports.
“For all of us it’s been quite an emotional week, Patty has quite at attachment to Winx,” Tighe said.
“We have been in touch with the farm and the carers looking after her and Patty rings on a daily basis which is what she needs to do.
“Winx is fine, she got a good report this morning she has been good right through considering what she has been through.
“She got a good tick of approval. She is starting to bounce back.”
The Tighes — and trainer Chris Waller — will be aiming to win their first Caulfield Cup with former import Finche set for today’s race and also the Melbourne Cup.
Finche was given a lengthy break and his first race since last year’s Melbourne Cup was when finishing third in the Group 2 Chelmsford at Randwick last month, then finishing third behind stablemate and Caulfield Cup favourite Verry Elleegant in the Group One Turnbull Stakes.
Finche’s run in the Turnbull was full of merit considering he was wide with no cover throughout but was still in the midst of battle late.
The Finche camp’s only concern is if forecast rain takes the Caulfield track into the heavy zone because he is a long-striding horse.
Since the tragic news about Winx’s foal, Tighe had had two winners with Yonkers scoring at Caulfield on Wednesday and Nyami scoring at Kembla Grange on Thursday.
But he admits emotions will bubble over at the end of a sad week if Finche can claim the Caulfield Cup.
“It is always a pick-me-up to win a race and especially at a time like this,” Tighe said.
“Chris and I have spoken during the week and I have said, well we just have to go on and win a Caulfield Cup.
“It’s something neither of us have done and I’d very much like to do it with Chris.
“Finche was purchased and raced for a specific reason and that was to win a Caulfield or Melbourne Cup.
“We pulled up stumps after last year, on the first Tuesday in November, with a plan of coming back this year to right where we are now.
“We didn’t race raced in autumn and then he was rested and he has been really lightly raced for a horse of seven years of age.”
Finche, a gelded son of Frankel, has raced nine times in Australia for only one win and that was in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick last year.
TAB has Finche as a $12 Caulfield Cup chance to end an emotional week on a high for Waller and Tighe.
With punters.com.au
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