Verry Elleegant Stakes Tips - Via Sistina set to bounce back after first up defeat

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 26 Feb 2025

Adam Cusworth 26 Feb 2025

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2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes offers $1M purse at Randwick.
Via Sistina favored; impressed with Cox Plate victory.
Lindermann presents value, poised for strategic run.

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 02: Jason Collett riding Hell Hath No Fury wins Race 9 Proven Thoroughbred Guy Walter Stakes during TAB Verry Elleegant Stakes Day - Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse on March 02, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

The Verry Elleegant Stakes will be held on Saturday March 1 at Randwick and is a Group 1 worth $1 million.

2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes Preview
2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes Speed Map
2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes Best Bet
2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes Value Bet

Here is our preview of the action

2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes Preview

The 2024 Cox Plate (2040m) winner, Via Sistina, is the favourite after the barrier draw ahead of her stablemate, Fangirl, who was a winner in the recent Apollo Stakes (1400m).

Via Sistina had to settle for 3rd in the recent lead up with Lindermann splitting that pair. Tempo was very slow early on, making it hard to those to make up ground. Last year’s Epsom Handicap (1600m) and King Charles III Stakes (1600m) winner, Ceolwulf, was 4th.

Six of the field of nine come out of the Apollo Stakes. Via Sistina closed off with the fastest last 200m and looks to be the one most suited by the rise to the mile.

Fawkner Park and Land Legend come into this first up, while the Ciaron Maher import, Zarakem, lines up for his first runs on Australian soil.

2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes Speed Map

We could get a sluggish tempo again and it is Golden Path and Lindermann that are likely to take up the running, while Land Legend and Ceolwulf might settle just behind that pair. Fangirl might land just ahead of Via Sistina with the latter drawing barrier 8. Fawkner Park is likely to settle back and near that pair.

2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes Best Bet

Keen on Via Sistina to turn the tables in this race. She was given a tough task first up last time from the back on what was a crawling tempo before landing just over a length away. The seven-year-old was held up for a portion of time in the straight and might have finished a little closer. A slight question mark around her form is the second run of her last campaign, which yielded a well-beaten 5th in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington behind Mr Brightside when not firing on a Heavy 9. She came into her own later on with three Group 1 wins, including her record breaking Cox Plate triumph. Fine conditions are forecast for Randwick and with class on her side, I expect her to prevaul here.

2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes Value Bet

Value clearly lies with Lindermann in this race. He did enjoy a soft time of it when first up in the Apollo but might get that again and like a number in this race, the stablemate of Via Sistina is one that comes in with extra fitness. He was 3rd when second up in this race last year, while his performance when second up in the spring saw him improve nearly six-lengths on benchmark figures to claim the Craven Plate (1800m). The son of Lonhro should be in it for a long way.

Verdict

Verry Elleegant Stakes

Verry Elleegant Stakes Tips

Via Sistina

Best Bet

@17/20 - 1 Unit

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Lindermann

Best Value

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