Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant has finished a gallant third in her second run in France, with dreams of a spot in next month's Prix l'Arc de Triomphe still alive.
The seven-year-old finished last in her overseas debut last month, but bounced back in a strong performance in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Foy on Sunday night.
Verrry Elleegant would take the lead in the G2 race at Longchamp, before Iresine stormed home over the top of the mare and favourite Bubble Gift for the win.
It’s 3rd for a gallant Verry Elleegant in the Qatar Prix Foy, with Iresine proving too good in the latter stages. pic.twitter.com/wckcjIaifp
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 11, 2022
The 11-time Group 1 winner split from long-time trainer Chris Waller earlier this year, with connections opting to align with Frenchman Francis-Henri Graffard.
With the Arc set for early-October, co-owner Brae Sokolski believes his superstar mare is in a good spot heading into a potential spot in the race.
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"I thought she went terrific, it was very unusual to see her leading but we're glad Christophe [Soumillon] took the initiative," he told Sky TV after the race.
"There wasn't a lot of pace early and she got to the front and she settled and she gave a hell of a kick and was run down by two very high quality stayers.
"We've got reason now to be very optimistic about her being competitive on Arc weekend. She'll be absolutely primed in three weeks time.
"We'll let the dust settle, see what Francis and Christophe have to say, and the rest of connections and myself will make a decision as to which race we feel is the best option.
"Obviously the Arc is going to be a much more difficult assignment so we need to really be confident she's going to be ultra-competitive in that race if we are going to go down that path.
"Otherwise we do have the option of the race on the Saturday over the longer distance, the 2800m.
"We are in the enviable position of being able to look at both races. The most important thing is she pulls up well."
Verry Elleegant has collected close to $15 million in prizemoney during her illustrious career, with a win in the Arc worth $4 million.
