MARQUAND BACKS ADDEYBB’S CARNIVAL CHANCES

Addeybb returned to Australia last month with the mission of defending the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes title he picked up in 2020 and jockey Marquand believes we are going to see a stronger, more dominant version of the worlds highest rated racehorse. 

Marquand was at Canterbury on Wednesday and was pleased with what he saw from Addeyybb’s trackwork.

“He is getting on in his days now but for whatever reason he seems to take a step forward every year,’’ Marquand said.

“I jumped on him just before he left home and he felt great. He has come off the plane and saunters around here as if he has come 10 minutes down the road, not halfway around the world.

“It’s what makes him so straightforward, he can jump on the plane, go wherever you want and get off and be exactly the same.’’

The majority of racing fans will be looking forward to the renewed clash between Addeyybb and Chris Waller trained Verry Elleegant. 

Last year the two contested Group 1 Ranvet Stakes as well as the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes  and made up the quinella in both races. Both times also saw the UK raider overcome the Waller runner however Verry Elleegant has gone on to win 4 Group 1s since and will be looking to overturn those results this time around.

“That’s what racing is all about, it’s a fantastic sport and they are top athletes, that’s how racing people look at it,’’ Marquand said.

“Who doesn’t want two world-class athletes coming together on the final day when it matters.

“I would rather win by three lengths and find it easy but that’s probably unrealistic looking at Verry Elleegant’s form in the last year or so since he left.

“Verry Elleegant is an exceptional mare, she has won Group One races now which is pretty incredible, but on Addeybb’s given ground he showed in the QEII (last year) how dominant he was.

“There is no telling if he can turn up in the same order again, it is completely in the lap of the gods now, but hopefully we will get the rain which will help us.

“I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully everything goes smoothly for Addeybb in the next few weeks.’’

Addeybb currently leads Verry Elleegant in the betting in both the Ranvet and QEII sitting at $2.60 and $3.80 respectively. 

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