The new-look Ranvet Stakes field holds no fears for connections of Addeybb, who remain adamant he is on track for successive victories.
The delayed timeslot for the Ranvet Stakes has done little to dent the confidence of Addeybb’s travelling party, despite the rejigged version attracting a deeper field.
Just five horses were originally paid up for last week but with the race pushed back seven days due to the wet weather, a field of nine will now tackle the Group One event, including Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet and Godolphin’s wet track specialist Colette.
Even with the new additions, Isabella Paul, travelling foreperson for Addeybb’s trainer William Haggas, says she still views the 2000 metre race as a match-up between the star English raider and top Chris Waller-trained mare Verry Elleegant.
“Potentially, Colette’s got great soft ground form and Sir Dragonet won the Cox Plate so they’re both horses to look out for and to watch,” Paul said at a media conference on Thursday.
“But chatting to Tom (Marquand) and looking at the market, it still seems like a two-horse race.
“Maybe that’s a little arrogant of me but that’s how I view it.”
Addeybb is a $2.10 favourite with TAB fixed odds, ahead of Verry Elleegant at $2.80 with Colette ($6) the only other horse at single-figure odds.
Like Paul, Marquand is approaching the race with a similar mindset to seven days ago, although he believes the additional runners have added a layer of intrigue.
“Last weekend …. everyone was saying it would be a two-horse race and now, realistically, you’ve probably got a couple of others that should be competitive,” Marquand said.
