James McDonald is relishing being back aboard New Zealand-bred star Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed).
The leading Sydney hoop was separated from the multiple Group One winner in the spring when she campaigned in Melbourne, as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old was victorious in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) with Mark Zahra aboard, but McDonald has been reacquainted with the star mare in his home state this year.
The pair were third when first-up in the Gr.2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick a fortnight ago before they returned to the Sydney track to post a 0.2 length win over Colette in the Gr.1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.
In a closely fought affair, McDonald said Verry Elleegant’s mental fortitude and will to win helped her get across the line for her seventh Group One victory, and fifth in partnership with McDonald.
“If a horse can’t put a margin on her within 100m it’s troubling for them because they are not going to beat her in a dogfight, that’s for sure,” told RSN927.
“Time and time again we have just seen her come out on top.”
McDonald said she has grown physically since the spring and believes she is also in a better head space as they head to further elite-level targets in the Sydney autumn carnival.
“She is definitely bigger, and she feels bigger as well,” he said.
“She has still got a sprint in her legs and has come back in really good order. Mentally and physically she is really nice.”
McDonald is looking forward to the rest of the autumn with Verry Elleegant and a potential rematch with Addeybb, who beat her in both the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) last year.
“We are looking forward to the competition and she is in good form, so hopefully there are some good rematches,” he said.
“Addeybb had her covered last prep and is going to be awfully hard to beat this time.”
By Grangewilliam Stud stallion Zed, Verry Elleegant was initially trained in New Zealand by part-owner Nicholas Bishara, for whom she won two of her three starts in her homeland.
Verry Elleegant’s Chipping Norton success continued the good run of form from horses bred in New Zealand, which have won 22.5 percent of the Group One races run in Australia this season.
