A heavy track and inclement weather forced the abandonment of racing at Kembla after just four races, but that was enough time for Gwenda Markwell to produce a promising debut winner by Vancouver that was bought from last year’s Inglis Ready2Race Sale.
Three year-old gelding Elleves was friendless in the betting, but raced up on the pace albeit outside the leader and despite being obviously green to the task was strong to the line to win the 1000m maiden by a long head over hot favourite Russian Standard.
It was an effort based on raw talent and he will no doubt take plenty of improvement from the run.
Elleves was a $75,000 Inglis Ready 2 Race purchase for his owner A Pazman from the Cheltenham Stables, NZ draft and was pinhooked out of the Sledmere Stud draft at Inglis Classic for $65,000.
Bred by Woodpark Stud, Elleves is the third winner from three to race from Prevalent (USA), a winning half-sister by Empire Maker to stakes-winners Dr Arbatach and Stern Opinion as well as the dam of Group I winner Decorated Invader.
Prevalent has a two year-old filly by Pierro to follow and a yearling colt by Justify (USA).
Elleves was one of two winners on Thursday for Vancouver, who also sired three year-old Night Eclipse to break his maiden at Warrnambool.
Vancouver stands at Coolmore at a fee of $22,000 this spring.
