Ville Verde Out To Emulate Regimental Gal
- Tuesday, 06 November 2012 00:10
Villa VerdeShaun Dwyer last had a good horse when he won the Magic Millions with Regimental Gal. It looks as if he has another one in the shape of Villa Verde, winner of the Listed 7News Plate at Flemington on Cup Day.
"It's a long time since I've had a horse this good", Dwyer said after the race.
"She was out there with no cover but she just does everything right and she is just so cool and composed in herself and does it so easy."
Villa Verde showed the benefit of the racing experience gained when she won at Caulfield on Thousand Guineas day, facing a field of mostly unraced rivals. Jockey Michael Rodd quickly had her in a handy position from her wide barrier and the filly was always travelling easily to win in the slick time of 56.73 seconds for the 1000 metres.
"She treated them with contempt", Rodd said on return to scale.
"I said to him (Dwyer) before the race that I got run down in the last few strides in this race last year because I hit the front too early so I will wait until the 100m before I go for her but I was just going that easy coming onto the course proper so I just let her go through her motions."
Villa VerdeVilla Verde ($3.30-$3.80-$3.50F) was untroubled to gain a handy break at the 400 metre mark and maintain that lead to the finish, winning by 2¾ lengths from Purrific ($8.50-$11) with 1¾ lengths to third placed Thump ($9-$12-$11).
"Shaun has done a great job with her and he's kept her ticking over nicely since her win at Caulfield", Rodd said.
Dwyer went into today's race with a great deal of confidence, saying:
"You've got to be confident just on the way she has done because she works well, she eats well and she just does everything right."
He now has his sights set on the rich two year old races next year.
"She'll go to the paddock now."
"I'll have a chat to Michael Rodd but we had a talk after the last (Caulfield) race."
Villa Verde"Not many horses go to the Blue Diamond and the Slipper and the one we want is the Golden Slipper so that's where we will be going."
Rodd is obviously keen to maintain his association with the unbeaten daughter of Not A Single Doubt.
"Shaun has been dreaming of a Golden Slipper for a long time so we'll put her away and give her a good preparation for that", he said.
"He has always got a horse that pops up now and then and obviously Regimental Gal was probably one of his better two-year-olds but this filly is not far behind."
"She is probably a different type of two-year-old, she is not as racy but she has got a lot of scope about her, she is very laid back and very professional."
Photos: Fiona Tomlin
