Trainer Linda Laing is hoping Veyron can extend his brilliance to 2000m when he tackles the Group One weight-for-age Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
Veyron has tried 2000m before, in February 2010, but the run was inconclusive about his stamina as he ran off at the home turn and returned with a ricked joint.
Since then he has won nine races from 11 starts, with seven of those wins coming at Ellerslie including the Group One Easter Handicap (1600m) in April.
“On pedigree he should run two miles (3200m), but we won’t know if he gets 2000 metres until we try,” Cambridge-based Laing said.
“He doesn’t work like a stayer at home – he’s quite a fierce horse – but on race day he’s a different horse.”
Veyron was originally going to contest the other Group One contest at the Ellerslie Christmas-New Year meeting, the 1200m Railway Handicap on New Year’s Day, but Laing subsequently decided it didn’t fit his training schedule.
“I just had my doubts about bringing him back from 1600 metres to 1200 metres in a month, so we thought we’d give this race a go,” she said.
“If he doesn’t get the trip we’ve lost nothing, but if he does it opens up some more options.”
Those options are likely to include a trip to Australia at some point, but Laing says it may not be this season.
“He hasn’t been away from home yet and I’d like to give him a trip away in New Zealand before we go to Australia,” she said.
“I’d rather go to Trentham and not travel well than to Sydney.”
Leith Innes will take the mount after a fall sidelined regular jockey Rogan Norvall.
Veyron warmed up for the Zabeel Classic with a comfortable victory over 1600m at Te Rapa on December 17 and as of Friday was the $3.80 joint favourite with the Queensland Oaks and Derby placegetter Shez Sinsational.
Last year’s winner Booming was the only other runner in single-figure odds at $7.50.
AAP TURF
