Tom Marquand and Addeybb second as 'mighty mare' Verry Elleegant slashed for Arc

Tom Marquand and Addeybb could finish only second in their defence of the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday, beaten by Australia's star mare Verry Elleegant who could be heading to Europe later this season.

Paddy Power slashed the Chris Waller-trained five-year-old to 20-1 (from 33) for the Arc in October after she showed a tenacious attitude to hold off her British challenger and score by a length. Connections said the Longchamp showpiece was their "lofty ambition" for Verry Elleegant earlier this week.

The mare reversed last year's form, where she was beaten half a length by the William Haggas-trained Addeybb. He was making his first start in Australia this season and was last seen landing the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot in October.

Marquand told Racing.com: "I'm delighted with the run. As we kept saying before if we bump into Verry Elleegant at her best it’s going to be tough to beat her. He gave his all. This was always going to be a run up to a bigger day and he put his heart and soul into it."

Although Marquand was without a winner on the day, Haggas landed the N E Manion Cup with Favourite Moon, who was subsequently made favourite in Australia for the A$2 million (£1.12m) Sydney Cup.

Last season, Addeybb defeated Verry Elleegant twice at the top-level, first at Rosehill before repeating the form in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April. They could clash again in that same contest on April 17.

Jockey James McDonald, who was on board for the sixth of Verry Elleegant's eight Group 1 wins, said: "I haven’t had that much fun on a racecourse for a very long time. It was so much fun.

Verry Elleegant: won the prestigious Caulfield Cup last seasonCredit: Pat Scala (Racing Photos (Getty Images))

"Halfway up the straight I could feel her at her top and Addeybb was still there and I was thinking, ‘on no, not again’.

"But she’s just a wonderful mare, great determination, fantastic will to win and she knows where that winning line is. She’s just a mighty mare.

"She’s amazing, she just keeps coming back every prep. She seems to get faster every time, in terms of she can win over seven furlongs and she can win over a mile and a half. She’s a beauty."

Elsewhere on the card, Australia's biggest two-year-old race – the Golden Slipper Stakes – was won in impressive fashion by Stay Inside, while 25-1 shot Think It Over caused a surprise in the George Ryder Stakes and favourite Mo'unga captured the Rosehill Guineas.

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