Set against the passing of Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Phillip last weekend, Saturday’s weight-for-age A $2 million Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes run over 2400m at Royal Randwick, and won in 2017, 2018 and 2019 by the mighty Winx, will be surrounded by an additional aura of gravitas than usual.
Despite not needing any, the circumstances might also provide English rider Tom Marquand and trainer William Haggas with even more incentive to return to scale triumphant again aboard last year’s British-bred winner Addeybb (Pivotal).
Addeybb – set for a double
Sadly, racing is not the ideal environment for sentiment, and Addeybb is facing a return clash with champion mare Verry Elleegant (Zed) who had his measure a fortnight ago in the Gr1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m), albeit the 7YO gelding will strip fitter.
Although the prospect of a ‘match race’ was in vogue just over a week ago, the sands have shifted and what was likely to be a two-horse war, might now be more like four.
Sir Dragonet (Camelot) was superb in the Gr1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) ten days ago and he is anything but a passenger here, also boasting the Gr1 Cox Plate at weight-for-age on his curriculum vitae.
Then there’s the wild card Think It Over (So You Think) whose trainer Kerry Parker, according to smh.com.au, will run the gelding in the mile-and-a-half feature.
Parker could care less what pundits think. From his past three starts, at best prices of $51, $20 and $31, Think It Over has finished first (Gr3 Liverpool Stakes – 1300m), second (Gr2 Ajax Stakes – 1500m) and first (Gr1 George Ryder – 1500m).
An unfortunate late scratching from the Gr1 Doncaster Mile, where only his barrier draw might have stopped him winning, will have the So You Think (High Chaparral) 5YO hopping out of his skin over a journey 400m further than he’s won over to date, but one which is not beyond him given he’s out of a Zabeel mare
