Gai Waterhouse | Gai Waterhouse News 61854 Playing By The Rules

Elamaz, Saturday 28th June, Rosehill, Race 9:

I rarely miss an opportunity to pick an import on its Australian debut, so here’s another. Elamaz is a lightly raced gelding who has either won or run second in every career start in Europe. Since turning three, he’s only raced over a mile, but I think that translates perfectly to a 2000 metre race here in Australia. The tracks over there tend to be more testing, so time and again we see these horses stretch out over further here, and our stride length data suggests this should suit him perfectly.

Over the past six years, this race has been won by horses rated well below him, and this year’s renewal doesn’t look particularly strong either. Securing jockeys for this meeting was tough, with most either in Queensland or on holiday, so I was thrilled to lock in senior, multiple Group 1 winning rider Josh Parr. The opposition all have match fitness on Elamaz, but I think class will prevail.