The $350,000 VRC Inglis Bracelet (1600m) at Flemington on Oaks Day attracted a good field of quality mares with proven stakes performer Verona Rose taking the prize.
Trained by Gary Portelli and ridden by Craig Williams, Verona Rose enjoyed a beautiful run in transit and forged to the lead with 200m to run.
The four year-old daughter of Castelvecchio was strong all the way to the line fending off the Yulong owned mare Sweltering to win by three-quarters of a length.
A modest $40,000 Inglis Classic purchase from Arrowfield Stud for her trainer Gary Portelli, Verona Rose has been a great investment for her large ownership group with four wins from 11 starts earning over $500,000.
“She showed that she's got the potential to be a good mare, and today, whilst this wasn't a group race, there was some pretty handy mares in the race.” Portelli said.
"She cost the owners $40,000 and we bought her the Classic Sale. I said to them, I think we've got an Oaks filly here, so let's not touch her at two and give her every opportunity to furnish.
“We did have a crack at the ATC Oaks, and she probably wasn't ready, but she might make a nice stayer for us next season.
"Thanks very much to Inglis for putting on the race. Fantastic race, I've had a bit of luck in it. I ran a couple of seconds before today in the race, so good to get a win."
A Group III winner last preparation, Verona Rose was bred and sold by Arrowfield and is the best of two winners from three to race from the Aga Khan bred Minamya (Fr), a winning half-sister by Makfi to staying stakes-winner Mila from Group III winning stayer Minatlya from the family of triple Aussie Group I winning import Manighar (Fr).
Minamya a yearling colt by Hitotsu and has foaled this spring producing colt by Castelvecchio that is a full brother to Verona Rose.
