It has been a while coming, but French-bred galloper Wootton Verni has finally broken through on Australian shores, claiming the Group 3 Coongy Cup at Caulfield.
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, Wootton Verni was transferred to Waller’s Melbourne base to continue his campaign.
Following a fourth-place finish at Sandown over 1800m on September 27, Wootton Verni relished the step up in distance to post a strong win.
Sent out the $3.80 favourite under Damian Lane, Wootton Verni scored by a long neck over Casino Seventeen ($31), with Future History ($13) another 2-¾ lengths back in third.
Lizzie Collett, representing the Waller stable, noted that while Wootton Verni can be difficult to manage in the stable, it was satisfying to see him finally put it all together.
Wootton Verni refused to settle early in the race but still had the tenacity to finish strongly over the 2000m 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.”
The gelding had worn blinkers in his previous start at Sandown, but the stable opted for winkers this time, hoping for a more composed performance.
Lane confirmed the horse over-raced throughout the 2000m journey but believed the win could give him a much-needed confidence boost.
“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.”
