Annabel Neasham could have another rising star in her stable as Verne cruised to victory in the Too Darn Hot @ Darley Handicap (1100m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The two-year-old colt stole the show early in the card, running away for an easy 1.73 length victory.
The son of Snitzel struck trouble when on debut and appeared to have little luck again from barrier 11, sitting three wide for the entire race.
Annabel Neasham was full of praise for her untapped colt and Brisbane could be the next port of call for Verne.
“We’ve always really liked him. He just had a little setback last preparation and went for a short break,” she said.
“I still think he’s going to furnish again, he’s still quite raw, but he didn’t do a lot wrong today.
“It looked like he was facing the breeze a bit and didn’t have much cover, but he’s put them away nicely.”There’s the Oxlade Stakes at Eagle Farm Saturday week, or we could leave him down here and run him here.
“He’s certainly a horse that’ll be spring quality, so at some stage we’ll put him away and give him a break.”
Verne was caught wide and without cover after jumping well from the wide barrier and ambled up to the leaders as they straightened.
The colt got in front early in the straight and pulled away over the final stages to win easily under Hugh Bowman.
Bowman said the son of Snitzel has plenty to learn but also has unlimited potential.
“He was good first-up, he’s still learning though, it’s not straight forward,” he said.
“He’s certainly got the talent, but I can see him continuing to develop mentally.
“The feel he gave, I know it was only 1100m, but the feel he gave me was the feel of a horse who will have no trouble at seven (furlongs) and maybe a mile, and if he can get to that sort of distance range the world’s his oyster.”
