James McDonald remains loyal to Verry Elleegant as they search for more Group 1 glory

Jockey James McDonald had the choice of rides in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes but has remained loyal with champion mare Verry Elleegant

James McDonald has stayed loyal to Verry Elleegant for Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Picture: Getty Images

James McDonald could have ridden Zaaki, he had been on Anamoe - but he wanted to stay with Verry Elleegant.

The champion jockey had the choice of rides in the Group 1 $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday but decided on the mighty mare.

He would feel a sense of obligation to Verry Elleegant given he’s had so much success on her, then there is his loyalty to the Chris Waller stable but the bottom line is he believes she will win the race.

Jockey James McDonald had the option of riding Zaaki (pictured), Anamoe or Verry Elleegant in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes but decided to stick with the mare. Picture: Getty Images

“We are still very confident,” McDonald said on Sky Thoroughbred Central’s This Week, Next Week on Monday night.

“I worked her last Tuesday and she felt really good. It looks like we will get another wet Randwick track and that holds no fears for us.

“If she brings her ‘A Game’ she will be very hard to beat in what is a cracking, cracking race.”

Verry Elleegant is the $3.50 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Zaaki next at $4, Anamoe $4.50, Duais $5 and Montefilia $8 ahead of Tuesday’s announcement of the final field and barrier draw.

Although Zaaki (All Star Mile) and Anamoe (Rosehill Guineas) were runaway last start winners, McDonald is keeping the faith with Verry Elleegant despite her last start defeat behind Montefilia in the Ranvet Stakes.

McDonald said Verry Elleegant was beaten “fair and square” last start but he is confident the mare can bounce back on Saturday.

“We are not too concerned she is coming off a little, flat run in the Ranvet,” McDonald said.

“She had a bit of an off day which they can do but you must remember she was coming off her win in a heavy 10 (Chipping Norton Stakes) at Randwick where she gave her all. You just never know what it took out of her.

“But we are looking for her to bounce back and I think she can.”

Verry Elleegant (right) can bounce back from her shock loss to Montefilia in the Ranvet Stakes last start. Picture: Getty Images

McDonald said Verry Elleegant has shown a capacity to rebound off an indifferent race and produce a peak performance previously, just as her stablemate Nature Strip did on Day One of The Championships last Saturday.

Nature Strip had been beaten into third placing behind Eduardo in the Challenge Stakes at his previous but gained revenge over his old rival to win his third successive TJ Smith Stakes and confirm his ranking as the world’s best sprinter.

Verry Elleegant, the reigning Horse of the Year, had raced below her best in the Turnbull Stakes last spring when she missed a place before returning to run third in the Cox Plate before winning the Melbourne Cup.

“She bounced back from her Turnbull defeat at Flemington to run a good race in the Cox Plate then she won the Melbourne Cup,” McDonald said.

“This mare is so good on her day and we are looking for her to race at her brilliant best on Saturday.”

But McDonald, who has ridden Verry Elleegant in nine of her 11 Group 1 wins, doesn’t need to be reminded of the quality of the opposition and how tough it will be to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“Everyone knows how good Zaaki and Anamoe are,” he said.

“From what I see of Duais, she is unbelievable, and the same for Montefilia.

“It is a mouth-watering clash, the best of the best are there.

“May the best horse win and I’m hoping to be fighting out the finish.”

Originally published as James McDonald remains loyal to Verry Elleegant as they search for more Group 1 glory