Eliyass Keeps his Australian Record Perfect in Kingston Town Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday September 21

Never further back than second in eleven starts, the exciting stayer Eliyass (FR) kept his Australian record at a perfect three for three in Saturday’s Group III James Squire Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

Elliyass (FR) wins the G3 Kingston Town Stakes - image Steve Hart

Ridden by Tim Clark for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the lightly raced son of Le Havre (IRE) chased down his Epsom Derby-winning stablemate Serpentine (IRL) at the 250m before holding the finish of the fast-finishing Ceolwulf (Tavistock) by a long-neck with the in-form Golden Path (Belardo) two lengths back in third.

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“He's got a great constitution and will to win,” Adrian Bott said.

“Once again, he had to dig deep. He was challenged solidly there. It was a good tempo throughout.

“It was a good staying test, and he was exposed for quite a while.

“So, for him to dig deep once again, it just shows those true staying qualities that he's got.

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.

“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. I'd like to think there's more upside, and he will keep progressing for us.”

A Listed stakes-winner in France, Eliyass (FR) opened his Australian account in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup before capturing the Group III Premier’s Cup. The 6-year-old gelding advances his record to nine wins and two seconds from eleven starts with earnings of $428,732.

Eliyass a €330,000 Arqana purchase for Astute Bloodstock

Aga Khan Stud offered the son of French Derby winner Le Havre (Noverre) at the Arqana Arc Sale for horses in training with Astute Bloodstock having the final say at €330,000.

Eliyass is the best of three winners from four to race for Edilisa, a winning half-sister by Azamour to Group III winner Edelmira, a grand-daughter of stakes-winning blue hen Ebaziya, the dam of four Group I winners Enzeli, Estimate, Ebadiyla and Edabiya and the granddam of multiple Group 1 winner and Group 1 placed Eziwyra (Teofilo), the dam of the Aga Khan’s 2024 Epsom Oaks winner Ezeliya.

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Race Result - James Squire Kingston Town Stakes Gr3 2000m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 2:01.54
1
Eliyass
- 6g Le Havre (IRE) x Edilisa (IRE) (Azamour (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
2
0.5
Ceolwulf
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Las Brisas (GB) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
3
2.3
Golden Path
- 5g Belardo (IRE) x Golden Destination (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: C Schofield 55
4
3.3
Serpentine
- 8g Galileo (IRE) x Remember When (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: A Hyeronimus 56
5
4.1
Zardozi
- 4m Kingman (GB) x Chanderi (GB) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
6
5.1
Land Legend
- 5g Galileo (IRE) x Landikusic (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Lloyd 55
7
8.6
Alegron
- 6g Teofilo (IRE) x Alegria (AUS) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 57
8
9
Kalapour
- 8g War Command (USA) x Kaladena (IRE) (Daylami (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: N Rawiller 58
9
9.2
Military Mission
- 7g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Atlantic Isle (GER) (Tamayuz (GB))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 57.5
10
9.4
Athabascan
- 6g Almanzor (FR) x Alzubra (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton Rdr: J R Collett 56
11
9.6
Star Of India
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Shermeen (IRE) (Desert Style (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: J Ford 55
12
9.7
Trust in You
- 6g Sweynesse (AUS) x Shinko Bay (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: Reece Jones 56
13
10.6
Zeyrek
- 8g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Zerkaza (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: J Parr 56.5
14
11
El Bodegon
- 6g Kodiac (GB) x Al Andalyya (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Wadick 55
15
11.8
Adelaide River
- 5h Australia (GB) x Could It Be Love (USA) (War Front (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 56
16
13.8
Valiant King
- 5g Roaring Lion (USA) x Assembly (USA) (Candy Ride (ARG))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 55
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