Connections of Addeybb are pressing on towards a Queen Elizabeth Stakes title defence with the English raider among first nominations for the $4 million race.
With jockey Tom Marquand already in quarantine, Addeybb is expected to make the trip to Australia for The Championships, despite the logistical complications resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020 race winner is one of 104 entries for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), along with last year’s runner-up Verry Elleegant, who will launch her autumn in the Apollo Stakes on Saturday.
The Australian Turf Club received more than 1400 nominations for the 10 Championships races, which will be held on the first two weekends in April.
“We are very pleased to again have such depth in our entries domestically, interstate and internationally despite the logistical challenges presented by COVID for visiting horses and stable staff,” ATC chief executive James Barkley said.
“We are especially delighted to see Addeybb, the highest-rated horse in world racing, returning to Sydney to take on the best from Australia and New Zealand in Verry Elleegant and Melody Belle in the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes.”
There were 151 entries for the Doncaster Mile, including Epsom winner Probabeel and Cox Plate hero Sir Dragonet, along with top three-year-olds Ole Kirk and Peltzer.
Godolphin’s star sprinter Bivouac heads the 77 horses in the mix for the T J Smith Stakes, while star filly Montefilia holds entries for the Australian Oaks and Australian Derby.
International nominations remain healthy and include 10 Japanese horses along with Southern Legend for Hong Kong trainer Caspar Fownes.