For a horse with seemingly nothing more to prove, there promises to be a lot riding on champion racemare Verry Elleegant to deliver in the most prestigious race of Sydney's autumn carnival.
In a weight-for-age contest of the highest quality, Verry Elleegant is a warm favourite to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a $4 million race that has eluded one of the bona fide stars of the thoroughbred world.
Since Verry Elleegant's arrival as an elite racehorse, the Queen Elizabeth is the missing piece on an otherwise outstanding CV that includes a Melbourne Cup triumph.
She came off second best in 2020 and 2021 with the UK-trained Addeybb having her measure both times.
Addeybb didn't travel to Sydney this year, creating an opportunity for Verry Elleegant to finally add the jewel in the Sydney's autumn carnival to her other 11 Group One wins.
And if she does overcome eight rivals on what will be nothing less than testing ground at Randwick, it could seal the most ambitious of all campaigns for an Australia racehorse.
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France is one of the signature races in world racing but it is rare that an Australian-trained horse is considered good enough to take on Europe's best stayers.
That thinking could change after the Queen Elizabeth as Verry Elleegant's trainer Chris Waller weighs up her future with the mare's group of owners.
"A lot will be dependent on Saturday," Waller said.
"I'd say if she didn't go to Europe, there would be another spring left in her in Australia.
"But that's up to the owners to decide and obviously she will tell us when she's had enough."
Waller is certain of one thing and that is he will have Verry Elleegant at her best for an autumn program that took an unexpected turn when she was defeated on her merits in the Ranvet Stakes last month.
"She was beaten fair and square last start by a very good mare in Montefilia," the trainer said.
"But Verry Elleegant has always been mapped towards this race. She's been set specifically for the race and we hope it comes off."
The Queen Elizabeth has drawn together Australia's best middle-distance horses in training, from the UK import Zaaki to the Godolphin three-year-old Anamoe, a 6-1/2 length winner of the Rosehill Guineas at his most recent appearance.
Backing his mount to the hilt, jockey James McDonald says the extraordinary depth to the Queen Elizabeth field can work in Verry Elleegant's favour.
"The better the opposition, the better she goes," he told the Seven Network.
Australian Turf Club officials are confident the Randwick track will be safe for racing after receiving less overnight rain than forecast.
