The $1 million Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) headlines a bumper 10-race program at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with a quality field of nine set to line-up in the weight-for-age classic.
Despite being rolled as a short-priced favourite first-up in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), horse racing bookmakers haven’t hesitated to install Via Sistina as $2.00 favourite once again.
James McDonald reunites with the daughter of Fastnet Rock and is set to be tested after drawing barrier eight of nine.
Stable companion and Apollo Stakes winner Fangirl is on the second line of betting at $3 with Neds after proving too sharp for her rivals over the 1400m first-up.
Jason Collett sticks aboard the three-time Group 1 winning mare and appears to get every chance to claim back-to-back wins from stall five.
The Joseph Pride-trained Ceolwulf ($4.60) got a pass mark returning in the Apollo and will be looking to turn the tables on the Waller pair second-up.
Chad Schofield continues his association with the progressive four-year-old, but will need to navigate barrier nine on Saturday.
You can get double-figures odds with BlondeBet about every other runner, with the likes of Lindermann ($11.00) and European import Zarakem ($26.00) representing good each-way value.
The 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes is the second leg of the Randwick quaddie and is scheduled to get underway at 4:35pm local time.
2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes Final Field
1. Ceolwulf (9)
- T: Joseph Pride
- J: Chad Schofield
- W: 59kg
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Tavistock (NZ)
- Dam: Las Brisas (GB)
-285.71
2. Zarakem (3)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Tim Clark
- W: 59kg
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Zarak (FR)
- Dam: Harem Mistress (IRE)
+300
3. Fawkner Park (2)
- T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
- J: Tyler Schiller
- W: 59kg
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Zoffany (IRE)
- Dam: Za’Hara (IRE)
+600
4. Arapaho (4)
- T: Bjorn Baker
- J: Ashley Morgan
- W: 59kg
- Age: 8YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Lope de Vega (IRE)
- Dam: Alzubra (GB)
+1300
5. Lindermann (7)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Nash Rawiller
- W: 59kg
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Lonhro
- Dam: Self Esteem
+120
6. Land Legend (1)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Kerrin McEvoy
- W: 59kg
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Landikusic (IRE)
+600
7. Golden Path (6)
- T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)
- J: Tommy Berry
- W: 59kg
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Belardo (IRE)
- Dam: Golden Destination
+600
8. Via Sistina (8)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: James McDonald
- W: 57kg
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Fastnet Rock
- Dam: Nigh (IRE)
-1250
9. Fangirl (5)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jason Collett
- W: 57kg
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay or Brown
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Sebring
- Dam: Little Surfer Girl
-500
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