Shannen Llewllyn off to a flying start with Ciaron Maher-trained Eliyass

In a promising sign of things to come, eight-year-old gelding Eliyass has recaptured his winning ways with a determined all-the-way victory at Randwick. This performance serves as a timely precursor for apprentice jockey Shannen Llewllyn, who is set to transfer her indentures to trainer Ciaron Maher.

Llewllyn, currently based in Newcastle, will join Maher's stable on a three-month loan basis commencing August 17. She wasted no time in making a positive impression for her future employers, delivering a masterfully judged frontrunning ride aboard Eliyass.

The former Tulloch Lodge gelding had not experienced a win since his triumph in the 2024 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m). He had been sidelined for a significant portion of the past season due to the insertion of screws in both fetlocks.

Saturday's Premier's Cup Prelude (1800m) represented only Eliyass's second start since his comeback, following an unplaced effort in the Civic Stakes (1400m) last month. According to Maher's assistant trainer, Jo Gerard-Dubord, the horse has found his best form sooner than anticipated.

"We knew the horse was going very well. We thought he was probably still a run away, especially with such a big weight," Gerard-Dubord said.

"But he's one of those horses. When they like winning and they've got a bit of class like him, it takes them a long way. He is back on track.

"It's only his second run in over a year, so he will improve again, and he'll be right at the right time of year."

Gerard-Dubord confirmed that Eliyass is likely to be aimed at the Group 3 Premier's Cup (2000m) at Randwick in two weeks' time. He also nominated the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) on October 10 as a potential long-range target for the spring carnival.

"We're very grateful to be sent a horse like him," Gerard-Dubord commented.

"He's had his issues, but look at his record. He's a winner, and hopefully we'll have a lot more fun with him.

"There's a lot more to come in terms of fitness. In time, a race like the Hill Stakes is a good prizemoney race."

Eliyass had raced at the back of the field in his first start over a sprint distance. However, with the increase in distance for Saturday's race, Llewllyn was instructed to ride him more assertively.

The 25-year-old apprentice followed her instructions to the letter, with Eliyass ($26) dictating terms from the front and successfully fending off Matusalem ($16) by a neck. Tazima ($2.15 favourite), a stablemate of the second-placed horse and trained by Chris Waller, finished a short head further back in third.

"He was travelling really keenly out in front, and I didn't have to ask much of him until the three hundred (metres)," Llewllyn revealed.

"I thought he would tough it out. I know he keeps sticking his head out, and that's what he did."

Punters keen on racing odds will be watching Eliyass closely after this impressive display of resilience and class.