Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1)

WILLIAM Haggas has triumphed again at Randwick, winning a second consecutive Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2,000 metres with the Irish-bred Addeybb, though importantly, this time in front of a crowd.

“This year I thought everything was against us, we were delayed a week and last week it was a ‘Heavy 8’ and this week it’s a ‘Good 4’ and I thought it’s not our turn,” said Haggas.

“What an amazing horse, what a tough race and I am proud to be part of your fantastic spectacle.

“The first person who rang after the horses crossed the line was Chris Waller and that shows what a sportsman he is. This is a tremendous day for racing, both northern and southern hemisphere and we are very proud to be part of it.”

Just seven faced the starter and only two and half lengths separated them on the line. Tom Marquand let the Pivotal gelding find his feet early before moving up alongside Verry Elleegant just as the Zed mare was tending to overrace with a mile to run.

With the pieces being shuffled, Verry Elleegant found herself second last as Addeybb moved up to the hindquarters of the leader Dalasan with 800 metres to run. A line of six swung into the straight as Verry Elleegant rejoined the fray. Tenacious as her efforts were, it was Addeybb’s race with Marquand making all the right moves.

In a driving finish the margin was a half-length, a repeat of last year’s quinella, with the Dalakhani horse Dalasan sticking on for third, three-quarters of a length from the winner.

Incredible

“Last year was incredible but it was a shame for Addeybb to come down here and win a race of this magnitude with no crowd,” said Marquand. “I rode my first Group 1 winner down here without a crowd and now it’s like doing it all over again. The atmosphere here is just incredible.

“What a phenomenal effort from William Haggas to bring him back down here. I was completely unaware of which horses were where. All I could feel was that they were all pushing to the line, but if ever there is a horse to have at the 200 metres in a scrap, it is him.

“It’s the closest I have been to tears in a very long time. Genuinely this is what makes up for what we do. It’s been tough being away home for a few months, but I’d do it 10 times over for a moment like that.”