Elle Aye Are looks set for further winter spoils

Elle Aye Are
Elle Aye Are strides home for a comprehensive victory at Ellerslie Photo Credit: Race Images – Peter Rubery

The Heavy10 track conditions on offer at Ellerslie on Saturday were made to measure for promising winter galloper Elle Aye Are who registered her fourth career win when successful over 1600m in rating 82 company. The Rip Van Winkle four-year-old was having her fourth run in her current campaign and overcame a talented field to score a convincing two-length victory in the hands of Michael Coleman.

It was a heady ride by Coleman who saved every inch of ground against the fence to bring his mount into contention on the home turn. Coleman angled Elle Aye Are into the middle of the track to scoot clear of stablemate Crafty Jess who battled gamely to secure the quinella for trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. Forsman was delighted to see the rain during the week with Elle Aye Are suited to the testing footing. “She got the track to suit and did the business fairly comfortably,” Forsman said.

“She showed last winter that she was adept in those sort of conditions so we’ve just been waiting for the wetter tracks to come along for her. “She’s typical of her sire in that she seems to be getting better with age, so I think the best is yet to come for her. “We don’t have any set plans for her at this stage but there should be some nice races that will suit her over the next few months. At some stage we would like to think she will be up to stakes company but at present we will just keep taking her through the grades.”

The stable will also be keeping a close eye on developments in Brisbane over the next few days as the field for Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) is finalised. Stablemates Lord Arthur and Bobby Dee are in contention for the race although only Lord Arthur is likely to make the final field. “Lord Arthur is currently number 18 on the order of entry for the Derby so it looks like he will get a run however Bobby Dee is 29th so he will struggle,” Forsman said. “At this stage we will wait to see how it all pans out before we confirm jockeys but they are both well and have improved since their last runs.”

Forsman was also delighted with the performance of two-year-old filly She’s A Lady who finished a gritty second in Saturday’s Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Foxton, however there is a cloud over the future of stablemate Star Ellipse, who finished a long last. “She’s A Lady was very good and toughed it out right to the line,” he said. “We will wait and see how she comes through the race before we make plans for her as she has had two trips away on heavy tracks so we don’t want to flatten her. “Unfortunately, Star Ellipse bled so that could be the end for her. She is a very talented filly so it is a shame to see that happen as we think she had a big future ahead of her.”

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