WELL-BRED MARE NO LONGER A MAIDEN

DAMIEN Lane was understandably relieved to get well-bred mare Veravino’s previous nine-start career as a maiden behind her at Hawkesbury yesterday.  

Wyong-based Lane always knew the five-year-old daughter of champion sire I Am Invincible had the ability to make her mark on the track, but hasn’t been able to give her a proper preparation until now.

A $230,000 purchase at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale, Veravino is the first foal to race of her dam, the O’Reilly mare Veravarti, who won two races for leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees.

“She has had bone chips removed and also bled once,” Lane said today.

“But she is sound now and her form this time in work has been good.

“Veravino ran second first-up at Hawkesbury in late November, then fourth at Wyong before another two seconds at Wyong and Hawkesbury.

“After five minor placings from those first nine starts though, it was good to see her break through yesterday, and in the manner she did.

“The wide draw (one from the outside) was a concern beforehand, but our apprentice Anna Roper took bad luck out of the equation by getting her away smartly and settling outside Rod Bailey’s (fellow Wyong trainer) The Netball Queen.

“Veravino put them away nicely approaching the 200m mark, and she scored with some authority.

“On that performance, I’m sure she can win again in the near future.”

A $1.95 favorite, Veravino won the Provincial Maiden Plate (1100m) by two and a half lengths from $151 outsider The Netball Queen, who battled on gamely.

Hawkesbury trainer Richard Nutman’s Cante Libre ($13), having only his third start, was always handy and also battled on gamely.

Veravino was Lane’s 14th winner of the current season and his career 315th.

Lane wasn’t disappointed with stablemate Denetta’s eighth at $51 to Mahogany Girl in yesterday’s Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier (1400m) at Hawkesbury.

“She drew the rails barrier and I don’t think being near the inside in the straight was the best place to be,” he said.

“Denetta is going well, and we’ll have another crack at trying to qualify her for the Final.

“Most likely that will be in the Wild Card (1350m) at home on March 29 when the first three placegetters all qualify.”

The Wild Card is open to horses who have been nominated and accepted – but did not finish first or second – in any of the six qualifying races.

Mahogany Girl and Well Timed (first and second at Hawkesbury in yesterday’s third Qualifier) joined Rapt, Bojangles, Welcometobarbados and Lord Of Biscay in the $1m PMC Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.

Story John Curtis, March 9, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos