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“She’s an absolute star. I just can’t believe every time we turn up for a preparation she just seems to get better and better. I know it’s crazy to say but she literally is.”

Those were the words used by James McDonald to explain champion mare and now eleven-time Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant, who was a well-fancied favourite and showed her customary toughness to fight off the challengers to win the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m).

In the extremely testing conditions on a heavy track with rain throughout the day, Punter’s Intelligence revealed although it was the only 1600m race the WFA event was run very slowly with the first 1000m run in 63.25.

The race’s fastest 600m-400m sectional split by Verry Elleegant in 12.20 was her winning move. The six-year-old mare accelerated while other runners/market fancies were locked up in traffic and/or outpaced when the tempo quickened.

Duais was one of those unlucky runners, albeit starting $101 in the market. She exceeded expectations and deserved to be fighting out the finish.

She was blocked for a run between the 400m-200m mark and once clear ran the second fastest last 200m sectional of the entire meeting in 11.83.

It proved the Edward Cummings-trained mare’s first-up sectionals were no fluke, and she has come back improved and ready to peak third-up over further distance.

Top Ranked was first-up entering his second preparation in Australia. He ran the race’s fastest last 600m in 35.71 and is one to follow throughout the preparation. Expect him to be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming feature targets.

She’s Ideel's last 600m was just a tick behind Top Ranked in 35.72 and of course is suited over further distance.

Montefilia was solid through the line first-up and will improve deeper into her preparation.

The second feature race, the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m), was another slowly run race even after comparing and allowing for age and other historical factors.

They ran the first 800m in 49.61, and Brenton Advulla used barrier 1 to full advantage box seating and gave Hinged a 10/10 ride to win.

There were multiple runs behind with merit. Startantes shot through the middle of the pack and looked the winner after running the second-fastest last 400m of the meeting in 23.25. She is fit and ready to win with her career peak figures, last preparation coming 4th and 5th up.

The Chris Waller duo Espiona and Fangirl dominated the market. Although neither won, they have both run well after being unsuited.

Fangirl was restrained from a wide draw and just got too far back in the big field. She ran the race’s 2nd fastest 400m-200m sectional in 11.32 and, in comparison, to the whole meeting this was one of the fastest splits. Although Hugh Bowman had to change course over the final 200m, she hit the line well and is right on track for all future assignments.

Espiona has ability but is still immature and was on the wrong leg when baulked on the home turn. She proceeded to lay in when put under pressure going the clockwise direction but tried hard.

Hope In Your Heart was solid to the line in the inferior ground and look for her down in grade.

As expected, the Guy Walter Proven Thoroughbred Stakes (1400m) ran faster overall time in 85.49, equating to approximately 3.5-4 lengths faster than the Surround Stakes.

Forbidden Love excelled in the heavy going and was a dominant winner by a margin of 3.22 lengths.

A quick mention of the three races coming out of the 1200m chute where we saw the 2-year-olds battle it out in torrential rain, which must be compensated for, and the Benchmark 88 having last use of the track.

Although the fillies raced before the colts, their overall time/last sectional merit was clearly superior.

The Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) ran approximately 1.5-2 lengths faster overall time and over 6 lengths quicker for the race’s final last 600m than the Skyline Stakes (1200m).

Fireburn and She’s Extreme may not be leading market fancies for the Golden Slipper, but they proved they can handle the heavy conditions.

Gravina has always promised potential, and the gelding operation worked with an impressive win first-up. He ran fast time in relation to the day with last use of the track and is one to follow this prep.

He is hard to catch, but it is worth noting Canasta’s run in the Petaluma Wines Handicap (2000m) had hidden merit after leading at a breakneck tempo and racing in the inferior ground that he stuck on well while the other on pace runners faded severely.

Fastest Last 600m: Shelby Sixtysix 34.38

Watch Punter’s Intelligence with Ben Way, Brad Davidson and Brad Gray at 7pm on Tuesdays on Sky Thoroughbred Central.

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