It is arguable a trip of a lifetime for jockey Mark Zahra who will fly to Paris later this week for a date with Verry Ellegant and her assignment in one of Europe’s most prestigious races, Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
The jury is probably still out on just where the Melbourne Cup winners stand at this stage of here first European preparation under the guidance of trainer Francis-Henri Graffard.
Verry Ellegant goes into the Arc, third-up having finished last in the Prix Jean Romanet before running third in the Prix Foy in her last start, in what was seemingly an improved effort from her first-up run, although she was dropping down in company there, from Group 1 to Group 2 level.
Zahra, who won the Group 1 Turnbull on Verry Ellegant a two years ago (before going on to win the Group 1 Caulfield Cup) replaces no less a set of luminaries in the jockey’s ranks than Frankie Dettori and Christophe Soumillon, who held the reins on Verry Ellegant in her last two starts.
Both of those jockeys will ride rivals in the Arc with Dettori booked to ride last year’s s Arc winner Torquator Tasso and Soumillon taking the ride on the French Derby winner Vadeni.
There is no question that Verry Elleegant will have to be at her top level of performance to get the job done on Sunday but, equally, there can be no doubt that her top level of performance is a significant force and that, clearly, the ‘has a ticket, has a chance’ belief is very much in play here.
Overseas bookmakers have put their own question mark against Verry Ellegant’s chances, marking her up at long odds.
At the time of writing the Paddy Power betting is: 4 Luxembourg, 6 Alpinista, 7 Torquator Tasso, Titleholder, Vadeni, 8 Adayar, 10 Onesto, 12 La Parisienne, 14 Westover, 16 bar those mentioned.
On an historical note, So You Think was the last Australian horse to tackle the Arc in 2011 (then under the care of Aidan O’Brien) where he finished fourth.
