Wootton Verni takes Coongy Cup
Later on in the Caulfield card, Wootton Verni (5 g Wootton Bassett – Vernie by Kendargent) – another co-owned by Sir Owen Glenn – broke his duck in Australia when he took out the Coongy Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m).
Wootton Verni came to Australia late last year to join the Chris Waller stable with Wednesday’s victory in the 2000m contest coming at his sixth start in his new country.
After having his first four starts in Sydney for Waller, Wootton Verni was sent to the champion trainer’s Melbourne base to continue his campaign.
After finishing fourth at Sandown over 1800 metres on September 27, Wootton Verni relished the rise in trip on Wednesday to register a strong win.
Sent out the $3.80 favourite under Damian Lane, Wootton Verni scored a 0.5-length win from Casino Seventeen (Casino Prince) with Future History (Showcasing) a further 2.7 lengths away third.
Lizzie Collett, representing the Waller stable, said Wootton Verni was not the easiest horse to deal with in the stable but it was pleasing to see him finally break through.
Wootton Verni would not settle early in the race but had enough fight to score at the end of the 2000-metre trip.
“He got a good clear run and was able to use his ability, but in the first 400 metres, I was saying relax,” Collett said.
“Luckily, he had enough fuel left at the end, so it shows he’s a quality horse.”
Wootton Verdi had raced in blinkers at Sandown, but the Waller stable opted to swap those for winkers on Wednesday.
Lane said Wootton Verdi had over-raced for the majority of the journey.
“His form before he came to Australia was very good, but it’s taken a little bit for him to put it together here, but he’s building the right way,” Lane said.
“I think he needed a confidence win and hopefully that was it for him.
“I was in the right spot, but he didn’t really switch off for me. I think the winkers switched him on, but with a few more goes in them, he might relax a bit better further on.
“I think they bought him for bigger targets than this race and he’s building in the right way.”
Bred by T De La Heronniere and Salabi Racing, Wootton Verni adds this win to his victory in the Prix Greffulhe (Gr 3, 2000m) at Saint-Cloud in May 2024.