Verry Elleegant well beaten but trainer not disheartened
Francis Graffard described Verry Elleegant’s (Zed) performance in yesterday’s Prix Jean Romanet (Gr 1, 2000m) as ‘rusty’, with last season’s Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner finishing last of seven runners in the 2000-metre contest at Deauville, her first of a European campaign which connections hoped would culminate in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m).
“She was very rusty at the start of the race and you can’t make up ground on that track at the moment,” Graffard said post-race.
“She tried and then they quickened in front again. She ran on at the end and she had a good blow after the race. I think she needed the race.
“I know the result is not very good but from a training point of view I don’t think it was such a bad run.
“She will probably have an entry in the Vermeille and we’ll see.”
The 11-time Group 1 winner, ridden by Frankie Dettori, was making her maiden outing outside of Australia and her first since finishing sixth in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) on April 9.
Breaking on terms, Verry Elleegant was soon four lengths adrift at the back of the field having been outpaced in the early stages.
Moving back in touch with her six rivals (Ville De Grace was withdrawn at the gates) at the halfway stage, the daughter of Zed (Zabeel) made a move on the outside entering the home straight and briefly threatened to get involved at the finish.
However, the leaders quickened again at the 400-metre pole, a move which ultimately tested the seven-year-old’s fitness, and she dropped back to last position.
A late rally inside the final 100 metres saw the mare finish four and three-quarter lengths behind all-the-way winner Aristia (Starspangledbanner).
The likelihood of softer conditions later into the season will have connections hoping for more to come, even if the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe may seem a tough ask now, with attentions now turned towards the Prix Vermeille (Gr 1, 2400m) at Longchamp on September 11.