French trip still on the cards for Kiwi mare

[Wandering Eyes]

A tilt at one of the world’s most prestigious races, the Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) remains a possibility for New Zealand-bred mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed).

The daughter of Zed has tasted Group One success in Australia over the distance in the Caulfield Cup, Tancred Stakes, and Australian Oaks, and now her ownership group are keen to test her further afield.

Part-owner Brae Sokolski told Racing.com he would love to see his mare head to Europe in October, with plenty of her connections getting onboard with the idea.

“The rest of the ownership group is on board if it can be done and I know Chris (Waller, trainer) is warming to the prospect of putting her on the world stage,” Sokolski said.

“They are lofty ambitions we have for her on the global stage, but the time will be absolutely right for her. She’ll be a six-year-old mare at the peak of her powers going to her best distance (2400m) and likely on a suitable wet surface.

“There just isn’t much left for her in the spring here. She’s out of the handicaps and we’re not certain of her around The Valley (Gr.1 Cox Plate, 2040m).”

Verry Elleegant has returned in good form this preparation, placing in the Gr.2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) fresh-up before winning the Gr.1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) last month.

This weekend she will renew her rivalry with British raider Addeybb in the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, a race she finished runner-up to the William Haggas-trained gelding last year.

Verry Elleegant was initially trained in New Zealand by part-owner Nick Bishara, for whom she won two of her three starts in her homeland before heading to Australia.

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