From wayward schoolgirl to mature athlete, Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant has taken her connections on the journey of a lifetime.

Now the Sydney autumn carnival’s jewel in the crown beckons in the form of an elusive Queen Elizabeth Stakes win.

The six-year-old will begin that quest when she resumes in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, the same race she has used to kick off her past two autumn campaigns, finishing fourth to Alizee in 2020 and third to Colette12 months ago.

With bigger fish to fry down the track, trainer Chris Waller is anticipating a similar outcome this weekend, but such is the mare’s versatility and class he says a victory would not be surprising.

“She’s well prepared but she’s not wound up,” Waller said.

“If she’s got a bit of cut in the ground and good speed on, she’ll blow them away over any distance. But if you get a good track, slow tempo, she won’t win over 1400 metres.

“Physically and mentally, she’s outstanding. She looks great and has matured into a real decent horse in the last 12 months.”

Verry Elleegant has drawn the inside gate against a top quality field of 14 that includes her stablemates Hungry Heart (barrier six) and Kolding (five), who is returning after being treated for a growth in his throat that might have explained his disappointing spring.

Colette is drawn to get every chance to go back-to-back for Godolphin from gate four, while Tulloch Lodge gelding Riodini and Sydney’s spring star Think It Over have drawn nine and 10 respectively and are prominent in early markets.