Verry Elleegant posted her eighth Group 1 win turning the tables on Addeybb in the 2021 Ranvet Stakes results. Photo: Steve Hart.

It was being spruiked as one of the great rivalry races of the year and the 2021 Ranvet Stakes did not disappoint with a thrilling two-horse battle to the line by reigning champion Addeybb from the UK and Chris Waller’s outstanding mare Verry Elleegant who reversed the result of last year’s event with a very tough victory.

On Golden Slipper Day last year top honours in the Group 1 $700,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) went to the William Haggas-trained UK English raider Addeybb following a tense final furlong between he and eventual runner-up Verry Elleegant.

The duo ran one-two again in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes next-up during ‘The Championships’ at Royal Randwick with Verry Elleegant also taking out the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) in between.

This year there was plenty of pre-race hype and anticipation surrounding the class duo’s third encounter, but it was the outstanding Pivotal gelding Addeybb back down under to defend his title who jumped clear favourite in betting.

In-form young English hoop Tom Marquand got the galloper into a good position second the outside behind front-runner Angel Of Truth, while James McDonald was on the fence third aboard Verry Elleegant third-up on the back of her Chipping Norton Stakes success over a mile last start.

At the 1000m, Addeybb had Verry Elleegant pinned on the fence, McDonald responding by easing back slightly to give the mighty mare options in the run for home.

Angel Of Truth was still in front approaching the turn as Marquand got going on the punters’ pick, while McDonald went to the outside on Verry Elleegant.

In a career best from Angel Of Truth he still had the lead onto the straight, but the two champions were running their own race stride-for-stride really heating things up at the 300m.

Verry Elleegant got her nose in front with 200m to travel, but Addeybb wouldn’t go down without a fight, digging deep and returning to the lead briefly.

Last year’s Caulfield Cup hero, Verry Elleegant, however was enormous the final 50m and drew ahead to secure her eighth Group 1 victory.

Addeybb ran second, while Angel Of Truth was terrific holding for third to round out the Ranvet Stakes trifecta.

After such an incredible contest, there is now a two week wait before the $4 million Queen Elizabeth in 2021 where yet again, Addeybb and Verry Elleegant will face off in the race of the season.

“She’s a great horse,” an emotional Waller told Thoroughbred Central after securing his 120^th Group 1 victory.

“It’s always hard to gauge when you’re coming up against horses from the other side of the world.

“But she’s won a Caulfield Cup with international form and she’ brought it to Rosehill today.

“It’s pretty special.

“Geez she was tough the last 100m…as she’s been in so many of her races.

“She’s a world class horse.”

Waller said it was unlikely Verry Elleegant would defend her Tancred Stakes title in between the Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

All-in Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au for the April 17^th event have Verry Elleegant in from $5 to $3.20, while Addeybb remains the favourite into $3.

Angel Of Truth $101 meanwhile has been slashed from $101 into $51 with full futures markets on the classic available here.

2021 Ranvet Stakes Results

Table Credit: Racing Australia.