Verry Elleegant’s elder brother wins in NZ
The elder brother of dual Group One winner Verry Elleegant has capped his season with victory in a country cup in New Zealand.
Verry Flash took out Saturday’s Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at Rotorua for trainer Nick Bishara who had a double at the meeting.
Ridden by apprentice Rebecca Scott, Verry Flash loomed into contention early in the run home and proved too strong in the final stages.
“It’s just terrific to win the Taumarunui Cup as a lot of my relatives started out in the area,” Bishara told NZ Racing Desk.
“I’m sure they will all be popping out of the woodwork tonight.”
The original trainer of Verry Elleegant, Bishara retains an interest in the filly as part of the original ownership group which has 25 per cent.
The filly is now trained by Chris Waller and is a leading Cox Plate contender.
Verry Flash ran in the Auckland Cup earlier this year and will be be given another chance in 2020.
“It was probably a year too soon for the Auckland Cup, but he was going so good we thought we had to have a crack,” Bishara said.
“He was always going to be a good stayer and he is still on the way up, which is the scary thing.
“We will put him aside now for a couple of months and then try and get some black-type with him.”
Verry Eleegant won the Vinery Stud Stakes and ATC Australian Oaks in the autumn and had a barrier trial on Friday as part of her spring preparation.