OUSTANDING More Than Ready son Verrazano enhanced his Trans-Atlantic credentials no end with a fighting second in the prestigious Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1609m) at Royal Ascot during the week.
The Coolmore owned 4YO arrived in the UK with a massive reputation having won half of his 12 starts by huge margins of up to 16 1/4-lens and he lost no admirers with a closing second.
It was Verrazano’s second start for Ballydoyle having finished third on debut in the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
“That was a lovely run and I’d say it’s a step up from Newbury”, Aiden O’Brien said of Verrazano.
“He was warm before the start but he did that before the Lockinge and I don’t think that bothers him.
“He tried hard today and kept going, he looks like he’ll get further. The lads will decide but the Eclipse, Juddmonte and Irish Champion are all open to him.”
Verrazano won the Grade 1 Wood Memorial Stakes and Haskell Invitational Stakes and started favourite in the 2013 Kentucky Derby.
His earnings are rapidly approaching the US$2m mark.
