Eight-year-old galloper Eliyass has rolled back the clock with a tenacious all-the-way victory at Randwick, providing apprentice jockey Shannen Llewllyn with a significant early success as she prepares to shift her indentures to trainer Ciaron Maher.
Llewllyn, based in Newcastle, is scheduled to join Maher’s stable for a three-month loan period starting August 17. She wasted no time in making a favourable impression for her new mentor, executing a well-judged frontrunning ride on Eliyass.
The former Tulloch Lodge gelding had not celebrated a win since taking out the 2024 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m). He missed a substantial part of the previous season after undergoing surgery with screws inserted into both fetlocks.
Saturday’s Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) was just the second start for Eliyass on his comeback journey, following an unplaced performance in last month’s Civic Stakes (1400m). Maher’s assistant trainer, Jo Gerard-Dubord, indicated that the horse had rediscovered his winning form ahead of expectations.
“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 likely to be pointed towards the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick in a fortnight. He also mentioned the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) on October 10 as a potential long-term spring target.
“We’re very grateful to be sent a horse like him,” he stated.
“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 settled towards the rear of the field in his first-up run over a shorter distance. However, with the step up in distance on Saturday, Llewllyn was instructed to ride him more positively.
The 25-year-old apprentice followed instructions precisely, with Eliyass ($26) setting the pace and holding on for a neck victory over Matusalem ($16). Chris Waller’s charge Tazima ($2.15 favourite), a stablemate of the runner-up, finished a short head behind 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 reported.
“I thought he would tough it out. I know he keeps sticking his head out, and that’s what he did.”
Australian betting sites will be closely monitoring Eliyass’s campaign following this impressive return to winning form.