Adrian Bott remains optimistic about Eliyass bouncing back in Saturday’s Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) following a disappointing showing in the Hollindale Stakes on extremely heavy ground.
Heavily backed into $4.60 second favourite for the Hollindale, Eliyass was beaten before the home turn and finished more than 20 lengths behind winner Antino. However, Bott believes the track conditions were the key factor in the poor result.
“Eliyass was obviously disappointing at the Gold Coast last start,” Bott told SEN Track. “I think it’s probably hard to take any true guide or read off that track and conditions on the day [which] unfortunately, he really struggled under.”
The gelding has remained in Queensland and impressed in a recent piece of work on Tuesday, giving connections confidence ahead of this weekend’s race.
“He’s come through it in good shape, so I can bank on him being able to bounce back,” Bott said.
Eliyass’s strong spring form, including a third placing behind Via Sistina in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m), provides further encouragement that he’s capable of matching it at Group 1 level.
“The form through the Spring for him has been excellent. So if he can get back to that, he comes right back into calculations.”
The gelding will face a challenge from the widest gate in a 13-horse field, while second favourite Pride Of Jenni has drawn the inside alley. Still, Bott is confident the drying Brisbane track will bring out the best in his horse.
“I think you have to treat it as a forgive,” Bott added. “Unfortunately, he was one that didn’t handle it, but he’s done everything right since.”
Meanwhile, Bott confirmed that exciting import Sir Delius, who recently captured the Chairman’s Handicap, is heading to the paddock to begin a Melbourne Cup preparation.
“We’ll just give ourselves as much time and lead in as possible to run the style of preparation that we’d like… everything has been centred around the Melbourne Cup so we’ll stick with that.”
Eliyass is currently rated a $9.00 chance for the Doomben Cup, with Tim Clark to ride. Blake Shinn will partner $3.50 favourite Antino from barrier 11 as he searches for his fourth win in the race.
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