Top mares Verry Elleegant and Hungry Heart to have a Randwick hitout ahead of Winx Stakes return

Sydney’s super mares Verry Elleegant and Hungry Heart are among a galaxy of equine stars set to have special exhibition gallops at Royal Randwick on Friday.

Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller has chosen a Randwick hitout rather than a Rosehill barrier trial to prepare Verry Elleegant and Hungry Heart for their new season comebacks in the Winx Stakes next week.

Trainer Annabel Neasham confirmed the sensational Zaaki and Mo’unga will travel over from Warwick Farm to Randwick for the Friday trackwork session along with the Gordon Richards-trained The Everest contender Gytrash.

The Australian Turf Club has decided to open the Randwick course proper for selected carnival contenders on Friday after Waller made an application to take Verry Elleegant and Hungry Heart for an across town workout.

Group 1 winner Hungry Heart (dark green and white silks) will join stablemate Verry Elleegant in a Randwick gallop on Friday. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Waller did have the option of running Horse of the Year-elect Verry Elleegant and dual Group 1 winner Hungry Heart at the Rosehill trials session on Friday and even gave consideration to sending both mares to Kembla Grange for a workout between races on Saturday.

But Waller feels this will ready both mares for their return to racing in the first Group 1 of the 2021-22 season, the $500,000 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 21.

“I thought about Kembla but Randwick is a bit closer so Verry Elleegant and Hungry Heart will go there on Friday,” Waller said.

“I’m really happy with both mares, everything has gone to plan with their preparations.

“Verry Elleegant will kick off in the Winx Stakes and I’m 99 per cent sure Hungry Heart will also be there.”

Waller confirmed Nature Strip, the early favourite for the $15 million The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick on October 16, will resume in the Group 3 $160,000 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at the same track on September 4.

The Everest contender, Gytrash (white cap), will also head to Randwick on Friday for a workout. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

“Nature Strip had an in-house trial at Rosehill on Tuesday morning,” Waller revealed.

“If he goes to the Concorde Stakes, which is the plan at this stage, then he is unlikely to run in The Shorts (September 18).

“He will have two starts into The Everest so it is more than likely the Premiere Stakes (October 2) will be the lead-up race.”

Zaaki and Mo’unga had easy barrier trial hitouts at Warwick Farm on Monday but Neasham said both her Group 1 winners will benefit with the trip away to Randwick for the Friday morning track gallops.

“I will probably work them together and have Mo’unga sit off Zaaki and do a bit of work late in the gallop,” Neasham said.

“Mo’unga is more forward in condition and will resume in the Winx Stakes and Zaaki is getting ready to return probably in the Tramway Stakes (September 4).”

Richards, who is in Adelaide, confirmed Gytrash will go to Randwick on Friday morning where regular jockey Jason Collett is available to put the outstanding sprinter through his paces.

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Originally published asVerry Elleegant, Hungry Heart to lead Randwick hitout

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