ADDEYYB DOES THE DOUBLE

Jockey Tom Marquand celebrates after riding Addeybb to victory

There were just seven runners for the $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick but it was still one of the most anticipated races of the day seeing a rematch between Addeyyb and Verry Elleegant. 

It was expected that Addeyyb would take up the running in the Group 1 feature but after a sluggish start the UK runner found himself behind the Verry Elleegant. 

Most of the field had been written off before jump but it was Dalasan who found himself in front after the slow start from the favourites and it was Dalasan who pushed the field along in right through to the final 100m.

Jockey Tom Marquand took his time on Addeyyb sitting just off Dalasan but as the field rounded the home turn covered by just a few lengths it was Verry Elleegant who blinked first and pulled three wide.

The field was still bunched at 250 metres but as they settled down to duke it out Marquand found another level on Addeyyb who kept battling to win and do the double in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. 

Marquand said he was close to tears after the victory. 

"It’s the closest I have been to tears in a very long time and I’m not that old. Genuinely, this is what makes up for what we do," Marquand said post-race. 

"It’s been tough being away home for a few months but I’d do it ten times over for a moment like that."

He said Addeybb was a terrific fighter. 

"I was completely unaware of which horses were where, all I could feel that they were all pushing to the line, but if ever there is a horse to have at the 200m in a scrap it is him. It’s the closest." 

Mo’Unga finished last in the $4m feature 2.3 lengths off the winner showing just how close the race was. 

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