Eliyass set for Melbourne debut in the Turnbull Stakes
Exciting French-bred galloper Eliyass is set to have his first start in Melbourne after galloping at the track on Tuesday.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained galloper worked with stablemate Just Fine on the course proper at Flemington, the venue for his Melbourne debut in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.
A veteran of 11 starts, for nine wins and two second placings, Eliyass is unbeaten in three starts in Australia, all at Randwick and all over the 2000m journey.
It had been expected after Eliyass scored in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes on September 21 the gelding would be bound for the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
But Waterhouse explained Saturday’s race looked a better lead up to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 19.
“I think that this is a more traditional course that’s proven over the decades and probably the best way to go to the Cups,” Waterhouse said.
“And to be effective in the Cup, especially the Melbourne Cup, The Metropolitan doesn’t have the same strike rate.
“It’s still a very good race and a very nice to win, and maybe Serpentine can do that on Saturday.”
Waterhouse said Eliyass had the right credentials to be a good stayer and has 53kg in both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup and more importantly she believes the gelding has the right credentials to be around the mark on Saturday.
Ethan Brown partnered Eliyass in his workout with Just Fine on Tuesday morning and it will be the jockey’s first ride for the Waterhouse and Bott stable.
“I like jockeys in form. I like jockeys that are on the up. I like young jockeys,” Waterhouse said.
“He falls into all those, ticks all those boxes.”
Just Fine will be joined by Sir Lucan for a ‘win-and-you’re in’ berth into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 5 when they line up in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) on Saturday.
“Just Fine is a Group 1 winner, winning the Metropolitan last year and he’s heading for the Cups also,” Waterhouse said.
“I think the 2500 (metres) will suit him great while Sir Lucan’s backing up after a rather poor run at Mornington (on Sunday).
“I’ll forgive him for that. He’s pulled up well and he was a happy chappy this morning, so I’ll have two runners in the Bart Cummings.”
More Racing News
Antino primed for G1 Toorak Handicap assault
A slight alteration to the campaign of Antino is what trainer Tony Gollan is banking on turning around the fortunes of the gelding at Group 1 level. Antino finished second in the Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield last year and returns 12 months later, with 1kg more, looking to go one better. The...
Gloaming Stakes test for Neasham 3YOs
Annabel Neasham is unsure if she has a Spring Champion Stakes horse in her stable, but she expects to have a better idea this weekend. The top Sydney trainer , who operates in partnership with Rob Archibald, has accepted with three horses, Firm Agreement, San Gabriel and Cristal Clear, in the $500,000 Group...
Waller duo to bounce back in the Roman Consul Stakes
Switzerland and Gatsby’s have not yet scaled the lofty heights the stable had in mind earlier this Spring, but Chris Waller is hopeful quieter rides could see improved performances. The two Snitzel colts will both step out in the $300,000 Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill. The 1200-metre event will be just the second...
Evaporate out to replicate Stutt Stakes-Caulfield Guineas double
In-form galloper Evaporate will look to break a 30-year-old run of outs in the Caulfield Guineas for the Lindsay Park stable. St Covet was the last three-year-old to win the Guineas for Lindsay Park back in 1994 when prepared by David Hayes. His sons, Ben, Will and J D Hayes are now at...
Southside Racing announce slot holders
The who’s who of racing names based in Melbourne’s south-east have taken up slots for two races to be held by Southside Racing. The two $1 million races will be staged on Cranbourne Cup Day, November 23 and on Pakenham Cup Day, December 21. Each slot costs the holder $100,000 per year...
Waterhouse lands on Mayfair for G1 Caulfield Guineas upset
Triple Group One winner Broadsiding remains an odds-on favourite for the Caulfield Guineas after drawing barrier nine, but rival trainer Gai Waterhouse isn’t giving up on the emerging Mayfair upstaging the star colt. Waterhouse and training partner Adrian Bott will saddle up the Golden Rose placegetter and the improving Wanaruah in Saturday’s $3 million...
Sydney Stakes beckons for Hard To Say
The Sydney Stakes on the Everest Day undercard will be the next stop for Hard To Say after he resumed with a courageous first-up win over Group One placegetter I Am Unstoppable at Warwick Farm. Trainer Jason Deamer confirmed the Group 3 sprint on October 19 was firmly on their radar as the dual stakes...
Pride Of Jenni ruled out of the 2024 Toorak Handicap
Pride Of Jenni won’t be taking her place in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield with trainer Ciaron Maher advising Racing Victoria stewards that he will not be accepting with the star mare. Controversy had surrounded her surprise nomination this week as due to her high rating of 122, she was allotted topweight of...
Growing Empire completes 2024 The Everest field
The final piece of the Everest puzzle has been put in place with Yulong Investments naming exciting colt Growing Empire as its slot contender for the $20 million sprint. His inclusion gives trainer Ciaron Maher three of the 12 runners with Growing Empire joining stablemates Bella Nipotina and I Am Me in...
G1 Toorak Handicap preferred goal for Alsephina
Grant and Alana Williams are keen to give classy West Australian mare Alsephina another Group One opportunity in the Toorak Handicap, but their decision could be determined by whether star rival Pride Of Jenni takes her place. Pride Of Jenni is a dual nominee for Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield mile and the Might...