A tilt at the Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) is no longer on the table for Australasia’s darling of the turf, Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed).
“After a really good discussion with the ownership group, it has been decided that Verry Elleegant will have a five-week spell and resume pre-training to be prepared first-up for the Winx Stakes (Gr.1, 1400m),” trainer Chris Waller said in a statement.
“Whilst running her in the Arc would be a dream come true for all of us, we just felt that it would come around too soon to enable her to have a proper spell and be fully prepared in Australia for this assignment.
“However, a trip to Europe a little later in the spring is still strongly on the cards providing she returns to the form she showed in the spring when dominating the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m).
“A race that we have identified as a prospective target is the 2400m Fillies and Mares Group One race on Champions Day at Ascot (October 15), one of the most prestigious race days in the world and a worthy stage to showcase her talents.
“It is likely that she will have three runs in Australia in the spring with the Winx Stakes, The Chelmsford, The Kingston Town and The Underwood all being considered prior to the decision being made on a Melbourne Cup defence or a trip to Europe.”
The daughter of Grangewilliam Stud stallion Zed was originally trained in New Zealand by part-owner Nick Bishara, for whom she won two of her three starts before her partial sale and move to Australia.
She has subsequently won a further 14 races, including 11 at Group One level, with nearly A$15 million in earnings.
