Eight-year-old gelding Eliyass has demonstrated a remarkable return to form with a determined wire-to-wire victory at Randwick, offering apprentice jockey Shannen Llewllyn a valuable early success as she prepares to transfer her indentures to trainer Ciaron Maher.
Llewllyn, who is based in Newcastle, will commence a three-month loan period with Maher from August 17. She wasted no time in making a positive impact for her new principal, delivering a well-judged frontrunning performance on Eliyass.
The former Tulloch Lodge gelding had not recorded a win since capturing the 2024 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) and was sidelined for a significant portion of the previous season after undergoing surgery with screws fitted to both fetlocks.
Saturday’s Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) was only Eliyass’s second start back from his lengthy absence, following an unplaced run in the Civic Stakes (1400m) last month. Maher’s assistant trainer, Jo Gerard-Dubord, commented that the horse had 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 expected 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.
“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 had been settled at the rear of the field in his first-up run over a shorter distance. However, with the increase in trip on Saturday, Llewllyn was instructed to ride him more positively.
The 25-year-old apprentice carried out her instructions to the letter, with Eliyass ($26) leading throughout and holding on by a neck from Matusalem ($16). Tazima ($2.15 favourite), a stablemate of the runner-up trained by Chris Waller, finished a short head 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 stated.
“I thought he would tough it out. I know he keeps sticking his head out, and that’s what he did.”
For those seeking out online bookmakers, Eliyass’s return to winning ways suggests he could be a strong contender in upcoming races.
