Former French-trained mare Elwaaryaa debuts for her new Australian trainer Mick Price in Victoria this Saturday kicking off her career down under at Moonee Valley Racecourse.
Craig Newitt rides French import Elwaaryaa in their Australian debut at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.
One of a handful of promising types running at the Valley for the Caulfield-based Price this weekend, Tamayuz four-year-old Elwaaryaa is engaged in Race 2 – the $40,000 Advanced Mailing Solutions Handicap (1600m).
She goes straight to the mile first-up with her pedigree, being out of a Cadeaux Genereux mare Filfilah, and her form back in Europe combining to make her a genuine staying type.
Having given her plenty of work leading up to this, Price knows her best form is over 2000m but he’s still excited about her prospects for the weekend.
“She goes well over 2000 metres,” he told RSN’s Racing & Sport this morning.
“It will be interesting.
“She does work and trial like she wants 2000 metres.”
She’s yet to be tested in stakes’ company and is only lightly raced but Price is hoping she develops into a nice black-type chance ahead of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
Back in France under the preparation of her former trainer Elwaaryaa had seven starts for one victory.
That win was back on October 1 last year over 1400m in a three-year-olds’ maiden, but things went amiss at her next start.
A month later she backed up at Longchamp over the same distance but this time could only manage a well beaten 11th behind the winner Kanotier.
Since arriving in Oz and joining Price’s stables the mare has had the one trail at Cranbourne on July 21.
Running over 1355m she ran third and Price is already seeing potential believing her a genuine top three chance.
“If she runs a cheeky race and lands in the prizemoney I’ll be happy with that,” he said.
For Saturday’s race Elwaaryaa is one of five single figure chances ion the big 14-starter field to win through Ladbrokes.com.au paying $9.
She’s definitely drawn a gate with barrier two, but whether an inside alley will be advantageous in Melbourne weekend is debatable.
“Mid-field on the bridle would be nice for her,” Price said when discussing tactics.
“She’ll run a cheeky race. She’s a nice enough horse.”
The course proper at Moonee Valley is currently a Dead (5) but with more bad weather predicted there’s a strong chance the track will be downgraded before Saturday’s meeting.
Craig Newitt is engaged for the mare’s Australian debut where she gets in on the 54kg minimum.
If she doesn’t live up to Price’s early expectations however all is not lost as a career in the breeding barn beckons for Elwaaryaa.
“She’s sound enough and good tempered and a nice mare,” he said.
“So we’ve got a month ahead to decide whether we go ahead with another year with her or go to the breeding barn.”
Other notable hopes in the event include equal 60kg top weights Devonshire Duke out wide in barrier 10 and Digitalism, along with Count Encosta.
An early market mover, Count Encosta jumps from barrier four with Brad Rawiller aboard shooting for their third win on the trot this time in for new trainer Darren Weir.
