| What | 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes |
| Where | Royal Randwick Racecourse – Sydney, NSW |
| When | Saturday, March 1, 2025 |
| Prizemoney | $1,000,000 |
| Distance | 1600m |
| Conditions | Group 1 | Weight For Age |
| 2024 Winner | Think It Over (2) | T: Kerry Parker | J: Nash Rawiller (59kg) |
|
Visit Dabble |
|
The time-honoured Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) headlines the action at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with a classy field of nine set to battle it out for the $1 million prize.
Six of the nine runners engaged come through the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) where Fangirl prevailed over 1400m. Can the likes of Via Sistina and Ceolwulf turn the tables stepping out to the mile? Or is there an upset brewing elsewhere in the 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes.
2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes odds
The Verry Elleegant Stakes is a race in three according to horse racing bookmakers, with the Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina holding firm favouritism at $1.90 after an impressive return in the Apollo Stakes.
Stable companion Fangirl is on the second line of betting at $3.20, while the Joseph Pride-trained Ceolwulf is the big drifter at $5.50 with Neds after drawing the widest gate (9).
Lindermann ($13.00) appears to be the best of those in double figures, while it’s ‘write your own ticket’ for the rest, with the likes of Zarakem ($35.00) and Golden Path ($51.00) lacking any early support at the big odds.
2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes speed map
Lindermann appears to be the sole leader of the weight-for-age feature, with Nash Rawiller likely to bowl across to the top from barrier seven.
Expect Zarakem to press forward to sit on his outside from gate three, while Fangirl will attempt to position towards the one-one throughout from stall five.
Via Sistina and Ceolwulf are likely to settle worse than midfield throughout the journey; however, expect the pair to get cover thanks to the staying pair of Arapaho and Golden Path.
Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes.
Verry Elleegant Stakes 2025 preview & form
It’s advantage Via Sistina stepping out to the 1600m after hitting the line well resuming in the Apollo Stakes. She had to push her way clear at a crucial stage and was doing her best work late to suggest she’s on song heading into this second-up assignment. James McDonald reuniting with the superstar mare is a major bonus, and provided she can be exposed with clear air at the top of the straight, Via Sistina must be considered the one to beat.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Zarakem warrants a saver at the $35.00 with Dabble. He brings some elite European form into his Australian debut, and although he may want further than the 1600m moving forward, he can make some noise at the each-way price.
Verry Elleegant Stakes 2025 selections & best bets
8
VIA SISTINA
2
ZARAKEM
1
CEOLWULF
9
FANGIRL
| $100 betting strategy | |
|---|---|
| $85 Win | Via Sistina (#8) @ |
| $15 Win | Zarakem (#2) @ |
Verry Elleegant Stakes 2025 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
Horse racing tips
