Up-and-coming exciting colt Ellsberg could also be Magic Millions-bound after demolishing his rivals in Saturday’s Precise Air Handicap (1500m).
Group placed in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle at his previous start, Ellsberg dominated throughout for Tim Clark, reviving memories of his sire Spill The Beans.
Spill The Beans was also trained by Gerald Ryan and Clark partnered him to three stakes victories.
“I said to Tim prior to the race, just ride him like you used to ride Spill The Beans,” Ryan said.
“He doesn’t quicken, he more grinds and builds into it.
“He’s a nice horse. He’s had four runs his first prep and he’s done a good job.”
Ellsberg is part-owned by Aquis Farm which stand his sire.
He fetched $280,000 as a Magic Millions yearling and Ryan revealed finding owners to take up the remaining shares was a hard sell at first.
“No-one would come in because he was too expensive for a Spill The Beans but after he trialled he was easy to sell,” Ryan said.
Ryan will see how Ellsberg comes through Saturday’s run before deciding whether to press on to the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 16.
