'She has a big engine' - Christophe Soumillon excited by Verry Elleegant gallop

Verry Elleegant has received a glowing endorsement from Christophe Soumillon before her high-profile European campaign gets under way, with last year's Melbourne Cup winner reported to have passed her first serious piece of work in France with flying colours.

The 11-time Group 1 winning mare has been moved to France from Australia and is in training with Francis Graffard, with connections holding a long-term ambition of running in October's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Verry Elleegant is set to make her first appearance on European soil in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on August 2 and has been reportedly pleasing her new connections since the move in May.

She had her first piece of serious work this week over a straight mile at Chantilly with three-year-old filly Malavath, who brings a high level of form including a half-length second at the Breeders' Cup last season.

Part-owner Brae Sokolski said: "His [Christophe] comment after the gallop was that 'she feels like she has a very big engine'. He was very positive about her after she built strongly into her gallop and ran through the line.

"It's full steam ahead now. She's been entered [for the Prix Rothschild] and she'll start off there.

"It was her first really serious gallop and she passed with flying colours. He [Graffard] said that everything that Verry Elleegant does points to her being an elite stayer."

Her route to Longchamp will likely take in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville on August 21 and the Prix Vermeille, over the Arc course and distance, the following month.

Soumillon has won France's biggest race twice, most recently in 2008 with Zarkava, and is enjoying a great season with notable victories including the French Derby, Commonwealth Cup and Eclipse.

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