Legless Veuve comes into Thousand Guineas calculations
LEGLESS Veuve turned a maiden win at Sale last start into a Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude win at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Stuart Webb-trained filly is bred to enjoy the longer distances (Pins – Hyades) and stepping up to 1400m was the trick to winning the $200,000 co-feature for the three-year-olds.
Having only won its maiden race last start, Legless Veuve wasn’t well supported in the betting ($15.70 at CrownBet), but it will now firm for the Thousand Guineas where Webb stated it will start next.
“I’d say that’s a no brainer,” Webb said.
“It was great. To beat this lot the way she did today, she’s just real high class.
“She’s still got her winter coat. I think she’s got a real motor. She’ll be a real nice filly in the autumn.”
Jockey Mark Zahra jumped the three-year-old well from barrier two as raging hot favourite Whispering Brook took up the lead. The well-backed runner from Perth was quickly under pressure in the straight and Zahra booted Legless Veuve to the front where it held off some fast-finishing challengers.
“Me and Stuart always had a good opinion of her,” Zahra said. “Obviously got a lot of talent.
“The best thing (is) she’s quick out, relaxes and has a good turn of foot.”
Legless Veuve is has firmed into $11 for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas on October 8, but the Chris Waller-trained pair Foxplay ($3.60 at Sportsbet) and Omei Sword ($5) hold most of the money.