Eight-year-old gelding Eliyass has recaptured his best form with a commanding front-running victory at Randwick, providing apprentice jockey Shannen Llewllyn with a significant confidence boost ahead of her move to trainer Ciaron Maher’s stable.
Llewllyn, who is based in Newcastle, will commence a three-month loan period with Maher from August 17. She demonstrated her skill with a well-executed ride aboard Eliyass, leading from start to finish.
The former Tulloch Lodge gelding had not tasted victory since claiming the 2024 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) and missed a considerable portion of the previous season due to surgery on both fetlocks.
Saturday’s Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) marked Eliyass’s second outing since his return from a lengthy layoff, following an unplaced run in the Civic Stakes (1400m) last month. Assistant trainer Jo Gerard-Dubord noted that the horse had shown a return to form much earlier 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 stated.
“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 slated to contest the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick in two weeks, with the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) on October 10 identified as a potential long-term spring objective.
“We’re very grateful to be sent a horse like him,” he added.
“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 was positioned towards the rear in his first-up run over a shorter distance. However, with the increased distance on Saturday, Llewllyn received instructions to adopt a more forward racing style.
The 25-year-old executed her instructions perfectly. Eliyass, a $26 chance, controlled the pace throughout and held on for a neck victory over Matusalem ($16). The third-place finisher was Tazima ($2.15 favourite), a stablemate of the runner-up trained by Chris Waller.
“He was travelling really keenly out in front, and I didn’t have to ask much of him until the three hundred (metres),” Llewllyn commented.
“I thought he would tough it out. I know he keeps sticking his head out, and that’s what he did.”
Those looking for the best Australian betting sites will want to keep an eye on Eliyass’s progress following this impressive return to form.