Jockey James McDonald could not have been more impressed with Verry Elleegant’s (NZ)(Zed) effort to land her eighth Group One victory in Saturday’s Ranvet Stakes (2000m).
The Sydney-based expat Kiwi said the daughter of Zed is in career best form and thinks she will be hard to beat in three week’s time when she chases her ninth elite victory in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
“Obviously to come out on top was fantastic,” McDonald told RSN’s Racing Pulse. “She is a mighty mare and she doesn’t know how to lay down. She gives it her all and turns up every time she steps out on a racetrack.
“I was really happy with the way she executed her race, it was the best she has began from the barriers this preparation, she has been very tardy out which puts you on the back foot a bit for the first part of the race.”
Verry Elleegant will now look to go one better this year in the Queen Elizabeth on April 17 after finishing runner-up to Addeybb (Pivotal) in 2020.
“She is definitely in the form of her life and she can’t go much better,” McDonald said. “Physically she is a stronger mare, she is going through her runs really well. She’ll be hard to beat in a Queen Elizabeth I would have thought.
“It was her third run in and she is probably at the peak of her powers, I wouldn’t say she would improve a hell of a lot because she doesn’t have to, she is winning now.
“As long as she stays in healthy condition and gets to the Queen Elizabeth in one piece, she will be hard to beat.”
