GEORGE MAIN STAKES COLLISION LOOKING LIKELY

Verry Elleegant and James McDonald after victory at Rosehill

Its most certainly the clash the horse racing world has been waiting for but it looks as though Verry Elleegant and Zaaki will be lining up together for the first, in hopefully many duels, in the coming week at Randwick in the George Main Stakes.

Trainer Chris Waller has already confirmed that Verry Elleegant will be contesting the $1m George Main Stakes over 1600m at Royal Randwick.

However the odds are now firming for Zaaki to be lining up in the Group 1 contest for the Neasham stables. 

If Zaaki were to start the race on September 18th it would mean decision time for jockey James McDonald who has ridden both horse to Group One success in the past 12 months.

Currently TAB all in markets see Zaaki as the best chance with $2.50 favouritism and Verry Elleegant close behind on $3. 

Other chances in the race include Chelmsford Stakes winner, Think It Over at $7 and Winx Stakes winner Mo’unga at $11.

Neasham who currently trains both Zaaki and Mo’unga is keen to see them compete on separate paths for the time being with the later already listed to compete in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington this weekend. 

It is unlikely that the Winx Stakes winner would back up from that run so quickly however Neasham could yet do just that and send Zaaki down to Melbourne to compete in the Underwood Stakes. 

“Zaaki’s main goal is the Cox Plate and I’d like to give him at least one run in Melbourne before that race,” Neasham said.

“Mo’unga is likely to go towards the Epsom Handicap and Golden Eagle but we are keeping all the options open with both horses.”

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