Elamaz to strip fitter for 2025 Hill Stakes tilt
Elamaz will look to bounce back and build on his solid first-up performance when he tackles the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on Saturday, with trainer Adrian Bott confident the French import will improve significantly second-up.
The gelding, a strong winner of the McKell Cup (2000m) earlier this year, finished fifth in the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) last month after looming into contention before peaking late. Bott said the genuine tempo exposed his lack of fitness but believes he’ll be better suited this weekend.
“He was always going to be vulnerable first-up,” Bott said. “He loomed like he was going to run a big race and just knocked up. Back in trip slightly should benefit him and he’ll strip fitter for the run.”
Elamaz is a $7.50 chance in early betting for the Hill Stakes, which has drawn a high-quality field including Australian Cup winner Light Infantry Man, Lindermann, Fawkner Park, Kovalica and defending champion Attrition.
Tim Clark will again take the reins, and Bott says the gelding will likely stay local for the remainder of the carnival. “He will stay around for a couple of those races like the Craven Plate,” he said.
Clark has a strong book at Rosehill, with additional rides on Beadman in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) and General Salute in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m).
For punters eyeing the Hill Stakes, all the latest odds and race-day promotions are available at Australia’s best betting sites.
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