Well performed English galloper Addeybb proved to be too classy for his rivals today with a hard fought win in the Group 1 $700,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.
Addeybb, above, is now the favourite for the 2020 Queen Elizabeth Stakes after winning the 2020 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
The English galloper wrapped up a winning double for Englishmen, Newmarket trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand, after the pair combined with Young Rascal earlier in the day to win the Group 3 $160,000 Iron Jack N E Manion Cup (2400m).
Addeybb ($3.40) put in a similar performance as Young Rascal and after being headed in the straight by the Chris Waller trained Verry Elleegant, the six year old fought back to record a half a length win over the $3 favourite.
Last year’s Ranvet Stakes winner Avilius ($3.30) was always well back in the field but was able to find third spot, five and three quarter lengths from the winner.
Addeybb set an even tempo in front but then looked to be under plenty of pressure approaching the home turn with Marquand starting to ride him along and James McDonald wasn’t going to let him get too far ahead of Verry Elleegant.
Verry Elleegant looked to poke her head in front at the 300m but under continued hard riding from Marquand, Addeybb was able to lift and was strong the line.
Stable representative Harry Eustace said a lot of the credit must go to Tom Marquand after another first class ride.
“Yeah very similar and huge credit has to go to Tom,” Eustace said.
“He is very strong and never gives up. I wonder, as well, the way he gets them rolling, I think the other jockeys think he’s got less horse under him than he has. You wonder if they commit a bit earlier. He knows our horses are going to run all the way to the line. They were pretty fit when they came.”
“It was another peach, he controlled it from the front and again he gets going and I think everyone thinks he is struggling but he is just stoking the fire. I did say to Tom because he does love soft ground and he might take a bit longer to let himself down on this track and I think that was the case because he came back at the end and was well on top.”
“I’m delighted for Tom, it’s his first Group 1 and it is fantastic they we managed to get it for him. We’ll have a beer tonight I hope. He’s rated very highly at home, he’s ridden loads of winners and it is just happening for him now.”
Both Haggas’ gallopers will now be aimed towards Day Two of The Championships at Randwick with Young Rascal set for the Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) and Addeybb to run in the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
“They came here knowing for the two runs,” Eustace said.
“They certainly weren’t wound up for this to be their absolute World Cup. It all depends on how they pull up and hopefully there is a bit more in them. We have a nice gap of time now until then so we can do a bit of work with them.”
Following his win in the Ranvet Stakes, Addeybb has firmed in from $5 to be the $3.60 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on April 11.
