The late Wootton Basset was one of those stallions whose progeny can excel over all distances and we saw a taste of it at Caulfield on Wednesday when his French bred five year-old Wootton Verni (Fr) won the $240,000 Group III MRC Coongy Cup (2000m).
A Group III winner in France, Wootton Verni was bought privately as a tried horse by clients of the Chris Waller stable and runs in the Go Bloodstock colours.
He has taken a while to find his feet in Australia with five unplaced runs here this year before his win today.
Stepped out to 2000m for the first time here, which was his comfort zone back in France, Wootton Verni produced his best effort so far when forging clear to win by half a length for Damian Lane as favourite.
"He's an interesting fellow and he's probably not the easiest horse in the stable," said stable representative Lizzie Collet.
"But we're very pleased to get the win. For the first 500m, I was (saying), ‘please stop (overracing), please relax'.
"He still had enough fuel in the end so it shows that he's a quality horse."
Wootton Verni has won six of 15 starts and is the first winner for Vernie, a winning half-sister by Kendargent to Group winners Volta and Calvados Blues.
Wootton Bassett will have another imported runner in the Caulfield Cup this Saturday with the Alessandro Botti trained six year-old Presage Nocturne (IRE) to carry 57.5kg and the number two saddlecloth.
