Verry Elleegant clinched the win in yesterday’s Melbourne Cup, beating out favourite Incentivise. The win marks the mare’s greatest victory in her career.
Incentivise was the favourite to clinch the win in the game’s lead-up, coming off a 9-win streak. He was the shortest-priced favourite since Phar Lap back in 1930. Incentivise was beaten out by Verry Elleegant just short of 10 consecutive wins.
The winning mare was ridden by jockey James McDonald and trained by Chris Waller. McDonald was emotional as he told Channel 10 about the victory.
“I love her to bits. She’s been so good to me. They can safely saw she’s a champion now,” he said.
“She was relaxed the whole way. When I looked at the 600, I still just, just… I was blowing kisses to her the whole way. I don’t know. I just can’t believe what’s just happened.”
Brae Sokolski, part-owner of Verry Elleegant, expressed pride in the mare.
“You guys have all been witness to not just racing history but a historical moment in Australian sport because this mare has just taken herself into the pantheon of greatest racehorses this nation has ever seen,” said Sokolski.
“To win with 57 kilograms, to bring up her 10th Group 1 win on the back of a Caulfield Cup last year is truly phenomenal and I just can’t tell you how precious she is to all of us involved.”
Sokolski also holds a stake in Incentivise.
“He’s my other baby and he did us absolutely proud. He ran a phenomenal race and his time will come. So thanks to [Incentivise’s trainer] and the team with Incentivise.”
Please support us by liking and following this page so we may continue to publish impartial news coverage.
