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| Staff Writer |
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Addeybb and Tom Marquand retained their Queen Elizabeth Stakes crown with a battling success over Verry Elleegant at Randwick on Saturday.
It was the fourth win at Gr.1 level for Addeybb, and the first in front of a crowd, having last year landed the Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth in Australia before finishing his season with success in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot. He also became the first northern hemisphere-trained horse to win three Gr.1s in Australia.
Jockey Marquand, who will return to Britain after this weekend, was emotional after the race.
Marquand, who wore a black armband in honour of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, added What a phenomenal bid from William Haggas to bring him back down here because at points I was probably sceptical, as many were. All I can say is thank you, it’s been incredible.
Addeybb broke slowly from stall three and Marquand acted quickly to push him on to the heels of the leaders. Verry Elleegant appeared to pull hard in the early stages and was dropped back towards the rear of the field by James McDonald.
McDonald crept closer on the outside rounding the turn and issued his challenge down the straight, but the mare was no match for Addeybb this time around, who never looked like relinquishing the lead.