Australian superstar Verry Elleegant has been supplemented for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe costing connections €120,000 off the back of her third in the Group Two Prix Foy.
A multiple Group One winner down under, the seven year old mare has been tried in Europe this year and although not hitting the heights her connections would of wanted, she has been given another chance to shine in the Arc at ParisLongchamp.
Seen twice in France this season, she went on to finish last of seven in the Group One Prix Jean Romanet, but last time out was more like herself when a close up third in the Group Two Prix Foy.
That performance has sparked her owners into supplementing her into the Arc rather than contesting the Prix Royallieu over 14 furlongs.
(Credit ATR) Brae Sokolski, part of the syndicate who own the mare said: “It hasn’t yet been paid but we’ve made the decision to pay it.
“We had a call with the whole ownership group and Francis Graffard, the trainer, and with all the facts on the table we decided unanimously that we wanted to progress to the big race and we will pay the late entry fee. Provided everything runs smoothly, she’ll be running next Sunday.
Melbourne Cup queen heading to @paris_longchamp! Verry Elleegant is to be aimed at the 2022 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 🇦🇺 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/QjKlLgUY4N
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 1, 2022
“She’s so important, not just to us but to the racing public. We wanted to make sure that she had improved to Francis’ eye from her second run. He was bullish with the way she came out of her first run that she would make incremental improvement, which she did.
“We trusted his eye and instinct that she had come on again and he was very bullish that she had. It was his recommendation to go to the Arc and obviously it was always our preference providing he was happy with her, so it was a really positive discussion.
“Now we’ve made that decision we can look forward very excitedly to what lies ahead.
“We’re definitely not going in confident. We’re confident she’ll acquit herself well but it’s a strong race, very deep as the Arc always is. It brings together the world’s best stayers, not just Europeans as there are some formidable Japanese horses as well, so we’re under no illusions
.“So while we’re not confident in any respect about her winning, we’re certainly confident she’s going to run well and represent Australia and New Zealand with pride and distinction.”