'She's an absolute star' - gutsy Verry Elleegant lands her 11th Group 1 prize

Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant won her 11th Group 1 race and her 16th in total when ploughing through the heavy going at Randwick, New South Wales, when reverting to a mile from two miles to win a second Chipping Norton Stakes.

There were no post-race tears from trainer Chris Waller but he said he was "touched" by the victory that took the mare's earnings to just short of A$15 million (£8.07m).

"She is just an amazing horse to work with," said Waller. "I am blessed to be in the position I am to work with these great horses, great people that work behind the scenes, as has been the case with this horse from day one, even before she got to me.

"She's a real piece of work and she fights like a tiger. I thought the second horse might have had us at the 100-metre mark but that's when the Verry Elleegant qualities pop in and she lifts to another level, and that's just her. She is in for a great prep.’’

Waller said the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes in three weeks would be Verry Elleegant’s next port of call.

"Obviously, the All-Star Mile [March 19] was there and that might have been back on the cards had they not run today [because of the ground], and that's how things can change," said Waller.

"That was always the plan, the Ranvet [March 19], and then the Queen Elizabeth, so three weeks-three weeks, it just works out perfectly."

After a lengthy battle down the straight, Verry Elleegant, who was the 6-4 favourite, beat 70-1 shot She’s Ideel by a short head with a length and a quarter to another outsider, Angel Of Truth, in third at 60-1.

Jockey James McDonald did not mix words on dismounting. "She's an absolute star," he said.

"I just can’t believe every time we turn up for a preparation she just seems to get better and better. I know it's crazy to say but she literally is.

"For her to pull out all stops at these kinds of trips is incredible. Obviously, the wet track has helped her but she’s a star, she’s an absolute star. I'm so lucky to be a part of it.

"She just turns up, doesn't matter what conditions, what distance, she'll perform really well. It's hard to believe she won a Group 1 over seven furlongs and two miles but anything beyond 2,000 metres [a mile and a quarter] she's running top three. It takes a very good horse to beat her."

Jockey Nash Rawiller warned not to discount Think If Over after he finished fourth.

"I thought his run was great,’’ said Rawiller. "Just didn’t feel like I was really able to get into the long stride that he has got. Just couldn’t quite get there, but I thought he ran as good as he ever has and has pulled up terrific."

Full result of the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday