After losing his unbeaten record with the narrowest of defeats in the Group II Feehan Stakes, the Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained Elephant resumed his winning ways in Saturday’s Group III Ladbrokes Sandown Stakes (1500m) at Sandown Hillside.
Ridden by Damian Lane, the 5yo son of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking struck the front struck the front at the 300m. He kept up a relentless gallop to defeat Romancer (Redwood) by one and a quarter lengths with Harbour Views (Le Havre) two lengths back in third.
After winning his first four starts in New Zealand, Elephant introduced himself to Australia with a win at Caulfield on August 8. He went down to Superstorm in the final stride of the Feehan Stakes.
“That was pretty strong. He kept kicking to the line well,” David Browne said.
“I think there is a bit more improvement in him yet. He’s strengthened up a bit and his coat has got a bit to go still. Hopefully he can carry on with it.
“In all his races, if you look at them, in the last bit he always finds a bit more and lengthens out really well. That’s where he gets it over the rest of them.
“I think we’re going to head to the Toorak in a couple of weeks. That’ll be the plan and where we end up.”
Lane said he hoped the handicapper showed the talented New Zealander with some leniency in the Toorak.
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uo;Hopefully the handicapper isn’t too harsh on him after today because he was harsh on him last start,” Lane said
“Hopefully he doesn’t get any points for today or minimal and gets in with a nice weight.
“He’s taken really good steps. He’s still a raw horse. He’s taken benefit from his two runs and he’s starting to put it together.
“Today he was still a little unsure in putting the race away and pricked his ears on the line.
“He’s a horse who is learning and he’s certainly going about it the right way.”
With his first stakes success, Elephant advances his record to six wins and a second from seven starts with earnings of $333,168.
The ownership group includes Elephant’s breeder Andrew Fowler and his trainers.
A half-brother to the Group III ARC Eclipse Stakes winner and Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes runner-up Melt (Iffraaj), Elephant is a son of the high-class race mare Ticklish.
A daughter of Maroof, Ticklish numbered a pair of Listed stakes among her eight wins. She also finished third behind Miss andretti and magnus in the Group 1 VRC lightning Stakes.
The 21yo Ticklish has a 2yo colt by Iffraaj (GB). Not covered in 2019, the daughter of Maroof visited Vadamos (FR) last spring.
Elephant becomes the 14th stakes-winner for Rich Hill Stud’s Shocking who stands at a fee of $8,500 (+gst) this spring.
