Boom freshman remains undefeated

MAINTAINING his perfect record with another feature win, boom freshman Verbici will be given a short break ahead of his next major race assault.

Co-trained by Sonia Mahar and Chris Lang, Verbici extended his undefeated record to four with an impressive New South Wales Trot Final triumph at Club Menangle.

Naturally thrilled with his latest performance, the couple will give Verbici “about two weeks off” before the two-year-old is primed for the Vicbred Super Series in September.

“There are still a few big races for him before the end of the season, including a trip back to Menangle,” Mahar said. “It’s a fair ask for him given what is yet to come, but he is so relaxed it shouldn’t worry him.

“We’ve got a big opinion of him, he’s a smart little fella, very professional, so we won’t be pushing him, therefore if at any time he seems like he’s had enough, we’ll miss whatever races we need to.

“All going well though, he’ll be up to the task.”

With Lang in the cart, Verbici worked to lead from barrier seven as the early front runner, Chief Kenny, was eased to take a trail.

Proving too slick along the home straight, Verbici completed a two-and-a-half metre win from Chief Kenny, with Sumthin Different four metres away third.

Surviving a protest from the runner-up before being declared the winner, the son of Orlando Vici covered the mile in 1:59.6.

“That was a pretty impressive run,” Mahar said. “Considering he dragged a flat tyre from the 500 and still ran the last quarter in 28.2, he’s done a great job.”