2024 Kingston Town Stakes winner Eliyass

Kingston Town Winner Eliyass Firms in 2024 The Metropolitan Betting

Lucy Henderson September 21, 2024

Kingston Town Winner Eliyass Firms in 2024 The Metropolitan Betting

The Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 5 is firmly on the spring agenda for the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained import Eliyass following his strong win in the 2024 Kingston Town Stakes results on Saturday.

The French-bred son of Le Harve continued his terrific form to remain unbeaten down under after pulling clear to finish a half-length ahead of the beaten favourite Ceolwulf in this year’s Group 3 $250,000 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) on The Shorts Day.

“He’s got a great constitution, doesn’t he? Obviously a great will to win,” co-trainer Bott told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-win.

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

“It was a good staying test once again today and he’s exposed for quite a while there.

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

The distance specialist is now seven-from-seven over the 2000m and three-from-three at the track and trip following his two earlier Australian victories in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup back in June and the Group 3 Premiers Cup first-up in late August.

The lightly raced six-year-old was given a perfectly timed ride by Tim Clark in the Kingston Town, getting to the lead with 300m to go before kicking hard the closing stages to hold off the brave challenger.

In third was Golden Path.

“The second horse challenged him late, but it sort of got to him and he was never letting it pass,” Clark said of the winner.

“His manners were all so much better.

“I think he’s always got to be that little bit bouncy and a little bit hot he did parade better.

“He’s obviously only had the three stars here, so he’s still working it out, but he’s got a very bright future.”

The Kingston Town Stakes winner is exempt from ballot for The Metropolitan 2024 on Epsom Handicap Day.

“Look, 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,” Bott said.

“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. So, I’d like to think there’s more upside and he’s going to keep progressing for us.”

Waterhouse & Bott claimed the Kingston Town Stakes – The Metroplitan double with Just Fine last year.

All-in The Metropolitan betting at Ladbrokes.com.au on Eliyass to repeat the feat are now into $3 as he sits top of the pre-field markets just ahead of Ceolwulf ($5).

Click here for the full markets.

2024 Kingston Town Stakes Results & Finishing Order

  Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price
  1 6 ELIYASS (FR) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark   1 56kg   $4
  2 11 CEOLWULF (NZ) Joseph Pride James McDonald 0.44L 13 55kg   $2.80F
  3 12 GOLDEN PATH (NZ) Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Chad Schofield 2.32L 12 55kg   $5
  4 7 SERPENTINE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 3.29L 6 56kg   $26
  5 18e ZARDOZI James Cummings Kerrin McEvoy 4.05L 4 56kg   $12
  6 16 LAND LEGEND (FR) Chris Waller Zac Lloyd (a) 5.14L 5 55kg   $17
  7 3 ALEGRON Bjorn Baker Ms Rachel King 8.59L 3 57kg   $51
  8 1 KALAPOUR (IRE) Kris Lees Nash Rawiller 8.96L 9 58kg   $51
  9 2 MILITARY MISSION (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Regan Bayliss 9.16L 7 57.5kg   $51
  10 9 ATHABASCAN (FR) John O’Shea & Tom Charlton Jason Collett 9.4L 8 56kg   $51
  11 15 STAR OF INDIA (IRE) Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Jay Ford 9.63L 15 55kg   $101
  12 10 TRUST IN YOU (NZ) Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley Reece Jones 9.66L 11 56kg   $201
  13 5 ZEYREK (FR) Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes Joshua Parr 10.62L 10 56.5kg   $41
  14 13 EL BODEGON (IRE) Chris Waller Zac Wadick (a) 10.97L 14 55kg   $201
  15 8 ADELAIDE RIVER (IRE) Kris Lees Dylan Gibbons 11.78L 16 56kg   $16
  16 14 VALIANT KING (GB) Chris Waller Tommy Berry 13.84L 2 55kg   $26
    4 FRANCESCO GUARDI (IRE) Chris Waller     0      
    17e WALTHAM (GB) Matthew Smith     0  

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

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