Kerrin McEvoy has guided Verona Rose to a stunning victory in the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) on Friday, as the Gary Portelli-trained filly stormed home from near last to maintain her perfect career record.
Despite facing the biggest test of her career, the daughter of Castelvecchio showed an incredible turn of foot to surge between runners late, nailing Inevitable Truth and Brigidine Gal in a thrilling finish at .
The $2.30 bookmaker favourite Dominetta looked to have pinched the race after controlling the speed, but she was swamped late, finishing just outside the placings in fourth.
Canny Queen was a big improver in fifth, while Sun ‘N’ Sand also ran well for sixth.
Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic Replay – Verona Rose
Trainer Gary Portelli was full of praise for his unbeaten filly, confirming that she would now head to the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 30 before a likely tilt at the Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 12.
“I’ve always thought she was an Oaks filly,” Portelli said. “She was in all sorts on the turn, but once she balanced up, she just kept finding.”
“To win a race like this at just her third start, against more seasoned fillies, it’s a huge effort. If she comes through it well, I don’t see why we don’t go straight to the Vinery and then the Oaks.”
Verona Rose has now won three races from as many starts, with pricing Verona Rose as a $15 hope to win the Viery Stud Stakes.
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