Eight-year-old Eliyass has turned back the clock with a determined all-the-way win at Randwick, giving apprentice Shannen Llewllyn a timely appetiser as she prepares to transfer her indentures to his trainer, Ciaron Maher.
The Newcastle-based Llewllyn will join Maher on a three-month loan from August 17 and wasted no time making a good impression for her new boss with a well-judged frontrunning ride on Eliyass.
The former Tulloch Lodge gelding hadn’t won since taking out the 2024 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m), missing the bulk of last season after having screws inserted into both fetlocks.
Saturday’s Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) was just his second run on the comeback trail after he was unplaced in last month’s Civic Stakes (1400m), and Maher’s assistant trainer, Jo Gerard-Dubord, said the horse had rediscovered form sooner than expected.
“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 Eliyass was likely to head to the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick in two weeks, and nominated the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) on October 10 as a potential long-range spring target. Those searching for the best betting apps Australia will likely keep Eliyass on their blackbook after his return to form.
“We’re very grateful to be sent a horse like him,” he said.
“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 settled back in the field over a sprint trip first-up, but with the rise in distance, Llewellyn was told to ride him more positively on Saturday.
The 25-year-old carried out her instructions to the letter, Eliyass ($26) making the running and holding on to score by a long neck over Matusalem ($16), with the runner-up’s Chris Waller-trained stablemate Tazima ($2.15 fav) another short head away third.
“He was travelling really keenly out in front, and I didn’t have to ask much of him until the three hundred (metres),” Llewellyn said.
“I thought he would tough it out. I know he keeps sticking his head out, and that’s what he did.”
