The Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 5 is firmly on the spring agenda for the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained import Eliyass following his strong win in the 2024 Kingston Town Stakes results on Saturday.
The French-bred son of Le Harve continued his terrific form to remain unbeaten down under after pulling clear to finish a half-length ahead of the beaten favourite Ceolwulf in this year’s Group 3 $250,000 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) on The Shorts Day.
“He’s got a great constitution, doesn’t he? Obviously a great will to win,” co-trainer Bott told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-win.
“Once again, he had to dig deep. He was challenged solidly there. It was a good tempo throughout.
“It was a good staying test once again today and he’s exposed for quite a while there.
“So, for him to dig deep once again, it just shows those true staying qualities that he’s got.”
The distance specialist is now seven-from-seven over the 2000m and three-from-three at the track and trip following his two earlier Australian victories in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup back in June and the Group 3 Premiers Cup first-up in late August.
The lightly raced six-year-old was given a perfectly timed ride by Tim Clark in the Kingston Town, getting to the lead with 300m to go before kicking hard the closing stages to hold off the brave challenger.
In third was Golden Path.
“The second horse challenged him late, but it sort of got to him and he was never letting it pass,” Clark said of the winner.
“His manners were all so much better.
“I think he’s always got to be that little bit bouncy and a little bit hot he did parade better.
“He’s obviously only had the three stars here, so he’s still working it out, but he’s got a very bright future.”
The Kingston Town Stakes winner is exempt from ballot for The Metropolitan 2024 on Epsom Handicap Day.
“Look, I’ve got a lot of confidence in this horse and no doubt that there’s still more upside and more progression. It was a month between runs and we’ve got some big targets for him, not just the Metropolitan,” Bott said.
“He’s got nominations for some bigger races as well. So, we’ve always tried to keep a bit in the tank for those going forward. So, I’d like to think there’s more upside and he’s going to keep progressing for us.”
Waterhouse & Bott claimed the Kingston Town Stakes – The Metroplitan double with Just Fine last year.
All-in The Metropolitan betting at Ladbrokes.com.au on Eliyass to repeat the feat are now into $3 as he sits top of the pre-field markets just ahead of Ceolwulf ($5).
Click here for the full markets.
2024 Kingston Town Stakes Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | ELIYASS (FR) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 1 | 56kg | $4 | |||
| 2 | 11 | CEOLWULF (NZ) | Joseph Pride | James McDonald | 0.44L | 13 | 55kg | $2.80F | ||
| 3 | 12 | GOLDEN PATH (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Chad Schofield | 2.32L | 12 | 55kg | $5 | ||
| 4 | 7 | SERPENTINE (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 3.29L | 6 | 56kg | $26 | ||
| 5 | 18e | ZARDOZI | James Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 4.05L | 4 | 56kg | $12 | ||
| 6 | 16 | LAND LEGEND (FR) | Chris Waller | Zac Lloyd (a) | 5.14L | 5 | 55kg | $17 | ||
| 7 | 3 | ALEGRON | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 8.59L | 3 | 57kg | $51 | ||
| 8 | 1 | KALAPOUR (IRE) | Kris Lees | Nash Rawiller | 8.96L | 9 | 58kg | $51 | ||
| 9 | 2 | MILITARY MISSION (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Regan Bayliss | 9.16L | 7 | 57.5kg | $51 | ||
| 10 | 9 | ATHABASCAN (FR) | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Jason Collett | 9.4L | 8 | 56kg | $51 | ||
| 11 | 15 | STAR OF INDIA (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Jay Ford | 9.63L | 15 | 55kg | $101 | ||
| 12 | 10 | TRUST IN YOU (NZ) | Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley | Reece Jones | 9.66L | 11 | 56kg | $201 | ||
| 13 | 5 | ZEYREK (FR) | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Joshua Parr | 10.62L | 10 | 56.5kg | $41 | ||
| 14 | 13 | EL BODEGON (IRE) | Chris Waller | Zac Wadick (a) | 10.97L | 14 | 55kg | $201 | ||
| 15 | 8 | ADELAIDE RIVER (IRE) | Kris Lees | Dylan Gibbons | 11.78L | 16 | 56kg | $16 | ||
| 16 | 14 | VALIANT KING (GB) | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 13.84L | 2 | 55kg | $26 | ||
| 4 | FRANCESCO GUARDI (IRE) | Chris Waller | 0 | |||||||
| 17e | WALTHAM (GB) | Matthew Smith | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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