Signup to Ladbrokes

Races.com.au Favourite Bookmaker!

SPRNGC

Copy Signup Code

Code for tracking purposes only

Chances are you're about to lose.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

Two of master horseman Chris Waller‘s Group 1 winning mares are tipped to fight out the finish in this afternoon’s Group 1 $1 million Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) without a challenge from one-time danger Ceolwulf who has been withdrawn due to an abrasion on his off-hind.

The Joseph Pride trained Ceolwulf was one of the key single-figure fancies in betting on today’s 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes field but was withdrawn on race morning by the stable.

Pride confirmed the Kiwi-bred Tavistock four-year-old, winner of the Group 1 Epsom Handicap – King Charles III Stakes double over the Randwick mile last campaign, had sustained a minor abrasion on his shin after he kicked out in his stall a few days ago.

Ceolwulf raced fresh running a game fourth only 1.45 lengths off Fangirl in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) last time out and was out to turn the tables on the mare in the Verry Elleegant Stakes.

Pride however said he was not 100% happy with the horse’s recovery over the past couple of days and opted to put the galloper’s best interests first saving him for a later second-up target.

“I was hoping he was going to be okay, it still looks good, there’s no swelling there but I’d say he’s got a bit of bruising because he’s just not moving 100 per cent right,” Pride said on Saturday morning according to Racenet.

Without Ceolwulf in the mix, Waller looks as sure a thing as racing can get to secure his incredible 11th win in the former Chipping Norton Stakes event.

He saddles-up four of the remaining eight in the field including his Ladbrokes Cox Plate winner Via Sistina who is odds-on and firming now at $1.70 in the latest Verry Elleegant Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au to improve on her third as the beaten favourite in the Apollo.

She gets J-Mac back in the saddle now and is expected to improve and return to Group 1 winning form ahead of the autumn majors.

Her Apollo Stakes winning stablemate Fangirl was outstanding in her Group 2 upset last time out at start number 30.

The six-year-old daughter of Sebring is at $2.90 in Verry Elleegant Stakes betting to beat her better fancied stablemate home again at her pet track today with Fangirl boasting a very strong Randwick record (19:7-3-3).

Waller also has Apollo Stakes runner-up Lindermann ($9.50) and the rails-drawn Land Legend ($41) who races for the first time since his Group 1 Melbourne Cup eighth in the starting line-up.

The 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes is set to run as Randwick Race 8 at 4:35pm (AEDT).

The feature race in Melbourne today also suffered a blow with Angel Capital withdrawn from Flemington’s Group 1 Australian Guineas field. Click here for the full story.

IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.