Brave mare Eloping has returned to racing in particularly good condition this time; leading from start to finish to take out the Listed Silk Stocking (1200m) on the Gold Coast this afternoon.
Eloping was far too good in the 2016 Silk Stocking. Photo: Daniel Costello
Eloping has developed a reputation as a strong and consistent runner through her entire racing career, and flew the gates on the Gold Coast this afternoon to take up the immediate pace and inject plenty of tempo into the Silk Stocking from the outset.
Rounding onto the final straight two lengths ahead of closest rival Miss Cover Girl, the Choisir mare only continued to open the gap in the race’s dying stages; savaging the line for a comfortable win; the seventh of her twenty-three start career and fifth at black type level.
Trainer Peter Robl was understandably pleased with Eloping’s performance to win the Silk Stocking and credited jockey Tegan Harrison for a smart ride.
“She’s a great mare on her day as everyone knows, and she’s been working well,” Robl said.
“The original plan was to go to Adelaide for the Group 1 but I thought it was just too hard a race, so we elected to come here where she had 2 starts over the Magic Millions period and raced well.
“I knew it was probably a bit out of left field putting Tegan on, but I just thought she was a jockey that would suit her.
“Two girls together usually get on well, so it was good. Mares seem to run well for her and they tend to keep running for her, so I thought it was the right call and I’m glad it worked out.
“She’ll probably have three weeks between runs, we’ll find another mares’ race for her and aim up again.”
Eloping began her racing career under the guidance of Peter Morgan and Craig Widdison in 2013 and has mustered an impressive seven wins and four minors through her subsequent preparations.
Miss Cover Girl produced a typically smart performance to maintain for second in the Silk Stocking while Zestful ran on for third, despite a late jockey change.
Punters who backed Eloping to win the Silk Stocking with Ladbrokes.com.au have been paid out on generous $11 odds.
2016 Silk Stocking Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | ELOPING | Peter Robl | Ms Tegan Harrison | – | 14 | 56.5kg | $11 |
| 2 | 6 | MISS COVER GIRL | Kelly Schweida | Glen Colless | 3L | 1 | 55kg | $7.50 |
| 3 | 13 | ZESTFUL | Kris Lees | Jason Collett | 4L | 5 | 54kg | $9 |
| 4 | 8 | ADORABUBBLE | Barry Lockwood | Ric McMahon | 5.3L | 6 | 54kg | $19 |
| 5 | 10 | MISS TENPINS (NZ) | Bjorn Baker | Jeff Lloyd | 5.5L | 4 | 54kg | $5.50F |
| 6 | 7 | BEATNIKS | Steven O’dea | Paul Hammersley | 5.9L | 3 | 54kg | $9 |
| 7 | 3 | JESSY BELLE | Luke Oliver | James McDonald | 6.4L | 13 | 57kg | $6.50 |
| 7 | 12 | SARISARA | Rex Lipp | Tim Clark | 6.4L | 7 | 54kg | $15 |
| 9 | 5 | TINA MELINA | Tony Gollan | Michael Cahill | 6.5L | 12 | 56kg | $10 |
| 10 | 2 | TRAVESTON GIRL | Tony Gollan | Jim Byrne | 7.8L | 9 | 58.5kg | $17 |
| 11 | 11 | CROOKED STICK | Stephen Jones | Blake Spriggs | 8.3L | 10 | 54kg | $81 |
| 12 | 9 | ROSENET | Bruce W Hill | Ryan Wiggins | 9.1L | 8 | 54kg | $51 |
| 13 | 14 | STAR DROP | Rex Lipp | James Orman (a) | 14.1L | 2 | 54kg | $61 |
| 14 | 1 | BRING ME THE MAID | Ciaron Maher | Blake Shinn | 15.6L | 11 | 59kg | $15 |
