Addeybb to attempt to repeat autumn carnival heroics

ENGLISH trainer William Haggas is optimistic the northern hemisphere’s worsening coronavirus pandemic won’t impact plans to send Addeybb back to Sydney for The Championships this autumn.

Haggas is confronted by a challenging logistic exercise complicated by the Covid crisis to finalize travel and quarantine schedules for his stable staff before giving the green light to send Addeybb down under again.

Addeybb’s regular jockey Tom Marquand, is already booked on a flight leaving London on February 8 so he can serve the mandatory two-weeks in hotel quarantine before riding through the Sydney autumn carnival.

Marquand combined with Addeybb to win the Ranvet Stakes-Queen Elizabeth Stakes Group 1 weight-for-age double last year, defeating Verry Elleegant in both races.

Haggas was in Dubai last weekend where he met with Addeybb’s owner Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s racing advisor to determine the seven-year-old gelding’s 2021 race program.

“We are hoping very much to send the horse to Sydney again,’’ Haggas told The Daily Telegraph.

“There are a lot of I’s to dot and T’s to cross as we have to get our staff down there before our horses go into quarantine.

“With the Covid situation, there are not too many flights to Sydney for our staff and jockey (Marquand) so we have a bit of work to do but we are very much planning to send Addeybb there again.’’

TAB Fixed Odds price assessors have already installed Addeybb and Verry Elleegant as co-favourites at $6 for the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 10.

“We are looking at the Ranvet and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes again with Addeybb,’’ Haggas said. “I couldn’t see any reason to do anything different.’’

Haggas said it is unlikely Addeybb will travel solo to Sydney with the trainer considering sending at least two horses here for the autumn carnival.

Addeybb established himself as one of the world’s elite gallopers last year when he won a third Group 1 in the prestigious Champion Stakes at Ascot in October to complement his dual Sydney triumphs.

The outstanding seven-year-old is among the leading contenders for the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Awards announced in London later tonight (AEDT).

As Sydney swelters in scorching summer heatwave, England is shivering through what Haggas describes as a “pretty brutal winter’’ and grappling with soaring coronavirus infections.

“It’s very cold and wet here,’’ the Newmarket-based trainer said. “But despite the weather, Addeybb is great, we are delighted with his condition.

“I’ve been keeping a close eye on the Sydney weather and I’m happy it is not raining there because I want it to rain again in autumn for Addeybb.’’

Haggas missed Addeybb’s all-conquering autumn in Sydney last year and admitted he will “need a miracle” to make the trip this year.

“I can’t see it, sadly,’’ Haggas said. “I would like to if it was possible but I won’t be doing two weeks quarantine.

“If I can’t fly straight in I won’t be coming and with the way things are (global pandemic) that won’t be happening.’’

Meanwhile, the Australian Turf Club has received 383 nominations for the $3.5 million Longines Golden Slipper at Rosehill on March 20.

Trainers with the biggest number of entries include Godolphin’s James Cummings (39), Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes (31), Peter and Paul Snowden (17), Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott (17), Richard and Michael Freedman (16), Ciaron Maher Racing (14) and Mark Newnham (12).

Originally published asEnglish superstar Addeybb set for Sydney return

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