Multiple Gr1 Winners Dominate QE Field

Twelve horses have won more than one Group 1 race this season in Australia, and five of them are in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes field for Saturday, reports racing.com. With only nine runners in the field, this still has to be one of the best quality fields assembled this season. The favourite is triple Group 1 winner Duais (Shamus Award-Meerlust, by Johannesburg) who is gunning for a third Group 1 in succession. "I think the inclement weather predicted for the rest of the week more or less forced our hand," trainer Edward Cummings said. "There's quite a bit of rain predicted and I think in terms of her wellbeing and safety, it's probably the more prudent option [instead of the Sydney Cup]." The other four multiple Gr1 winners (this season’s wins only) in the field are Gr1 Underwood, Gr1 LKS Mackinnon winner Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux-Kesara, by Sadler’s Wells), Gr1 George Main, Gr1 Melbourne Cup, Gr1 Chipping Norton winner Verry Elleegant (Zed-Opulence, by Danroad), Gr1 Caulfield Guineas, Gr1 Rosehill Guineas winner Anamoe (Street Boss-Anamato, by Redoute’s Choice), and Gr1 Metropolitan, Gr1 Ranvet winner Montefilia (Kermadec-Bana Wu, by Shirocco). Among the other runners Gr1 Toorak Handicap winner I’m Thunderstruck (Shocking-Primadonna Girl, by Edenwold) is a Gr1 winner this season, while 2021 Gr1 George Ryder winner Think It Over (So You Think-Personal Service, by Zabeel) won his Gr1 last season. Dalasan (Dalakhani-Khandallah, by Kitten’s Joy) is a Gr2 winner and Gr1 placed, while Mount Popa (Maxios-Mimalia, by Silver Hawk) is a Gr3 winner who shows any amount of promise.

This could be Verry Elleegant's last race in Sydney (pic: Steve Hart)