Wootton Verni breaks Australian duck in the Coongy Cup

After several near misses, French-bred Wootton Verni finally delivered on his Australian promise, taking out the Group 3 Coongy Cup at Caulfield for the Chris Waller stable.

The talented import, who joined Waller’s team late last year, claimed the 2000m feature at his sixth start on Australian soil. Having initially campaigned in Sydney, Wootton Verni was switched to Waller’s Melbourne operation this spring and thrived under new conditions.

After finishing fourth over 1800m at Sandown on September 27, he relished the extra ground to post a determined victory. Under jockey Damian Lane, the $3.80 favourite fought hard to defeat Casino Seventeen ($31) by a long neck, with Future History ($13) finishing third.

Stable representative Lizzie Collett said the win was especially pleasing given the gelding’s tendency to over-race.

“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.”

Wootton Verni had worn blinkers at his previous start, but the stable switched to winkers in an attempt to help him settle better. Lane said that while the horse still raced fiercely, the victory should give him confidence going forward.

“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.”

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