London: Verry Elleegant’s place in one of Europe’s most prestigious races, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, is in serious doubt after organisers confirmed Sunday’s field would be limited to 20 runners.
Part-owner Brae Sokolski said he was “flabbergasted” by the development, with the Melbourne Cup winner currently 22nd on the list should the ownership group decide to pay up on Wednesday at a cost of €120,000 (AU $178,000), before final declarations the following day.
French racing chiefs defied calls to rip up a three-decade old rule that stops some of the world’s best horses getting a run, with the sport’s governing body, France Galop, stating nominations with the lowest rating would be prevented from running should more than 20 be declared.
The 11-time group 1-winner was transferred from Sydney trainer Chris Waller earlier this year to French trainer Francis Graffard to target the world-famous €5m race run over 2400m at Longchamp, with €2.857m going to the winner.
Sokolski told a British racing podcast hosted by Nick Luck on Wednesday morning (AEST) he was now relying on Graffard to manage the horse’s future.
“I haven’t spoken to France Galop, I’ve left that to Francis (Graffard, trainer) to manage, but we were very much taken by surprise when news came through that there could be more than a capacity field and that some may miss out – and that we were one of them at risk,” he said.
Verry Elleegant is currently 22nd on the order of entry for the Arc, which has been restricted to 20 runners.Credit:Getty Images
“We’re moving forward on the assumption that come hell or high water they’ll find a way to make sure she’ll get a run.
“There’s a big crew of family and friends of the owners from New Zealand and Australia heading to the northern hemisphere to see her race. We’re not doing it for a holiday to Paris, so it would be a big source of disappointment if she doesn’t run.”
The Australian champion, who has raced twice since moving to Europe, has been given a rating of 113 by the French handicappers after finishing last in the Prix Jean Romanet and third in the Prix Foy.
Victorian jockey Mark Zahra, who rode the mare during to victory in the group 1 Turnbull Stakes and the Caulfield Cup during the 2020 Melbourne spring carnival, has been booked to travel to France.
Mark Zahra was due to travel to Europe to take the ride in Paris.Credit:Getty Images
“Obviously, it hasn’t been without its challenges, and we have to be a little bit forgiving of her to allow her to acclimatise and get accustomed to a different training regime and pattern of racing. It’s been like a shock to her system but I feel Francis has now got a handle on her,” Sokolski said.
“While she’s been nowhere near her best in her two runs in France, I do feel she’s on the right trajectory, and we did see an exponential improvement from her first run to her second. If she showed the same improvement, she’d be very competitive.”
French racing restricts the field to 20 because of a popular bet called a “Quinte” in which French punters try to pick the first five home. The Melbourne Cup has a 24-horse limit.
In a statement on Tuesday, France Galop confirmed the 20-runner limit would remain in place.
“If need be, elimination or balloting procedures are as follows: runners with the lowest rating will be eliminated sequentially. The rating is decided by the France Galop Handicapper Service,” it said.
“In the case of horses with the same rating, eliminations will be made in the ascending order of prizemoney won for victories and places throughout the year 2022, with a draw in case of a tie in prizemoney earnings.”
