Tim Clark says Eliyass has gone from ‘strength to strength’ for Caulfield Cup

French import Eliyass may have tasted defeat for the first tme in Australia in the Turnbull Stakes, but jockey Tim Clark is upbeat about his chances in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup.

Sydney jockey Tim Clark says $5m Group 1 Caulfield Cup contender Eliyass has benefited from experience in Melbourne despite tasting defeat for the first time in Australia.

The French import, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, was unbeaten in three starts in Sydney before he ran hird in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

Clark, who watched the Turnbull from afar, jumped at the opportunity to reunite with Eliyass.

“He’s gone from strength to strength since he’s been out here,” Clark said.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

“Every run he’s had he’s improved and every time Gai and Adrian have raised the bar for him he seems to have handled it really well.

“Although he tasted his first defeat in Australia I thought his run was full of merit and I think that will be a good lead into the Caulfield Cup, a good form race.

“I don’t think the 2400m will be an issue with him, European stayers are very clean winded and strong stayers.”

Tim Clark riding Eliyass ina track gallop at Caulfield this week. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Eliyass travelled on speed in the Turnbull and held onto third, as Via Sistina nabbed Buckaroo over the concluding stages.

Buckaroo is a $4.40 favourite for the Caulfield Cup, with Via Sistina to contest the Cox Plate.

“It was his third run at 2000m for the prep, maybe he was looking for a little bit further which he gets on Saturday,” Clark said.

“He had to take the field up to the leader and was chasing a long way from home … took two very good horses to get past him late.

“Rather than maybe being the sitting shot there on Saturday, hopefully he’s got something to possibly take him into the race.”

Eliyass has eased $6.50 to $7.50 with Ladbrokes since the barrier draw last Tuesday.

“It would be very exciting (to win) one of the major races on the calendar,” Clark said.

“It’s steeped in history and would be a big thrill if I could come down here Saturday and get the win.

“Gai’s won one before and it would be good to repay their faith, Gai and Adrian, it would be great to get a major.”

Clark has won 24 Group 1 races including 12 for the Waterhouse-Bott combination.

Five-year-old Eliyass has widest of 18 barriers to navigate on Saturday.

There appears to be enough speed in the race to helps horses drawn wide find a position.

“He’s got a great turn of foot if he can be ridden to use that,” Clark said.

“You saw in the Kingston Town they broke 34 (seconds) coming home (last 600m) back end of a 2000m race, a truly run 2000m race.

“If he can get the right run he can produce a good turn of foot at the back end of these staying races.”

Eliyass galloped for the first time at Caulfield last Tuesday with Clark aboard.

“He handled the circuit really well,” Clark said.

“Short sharp work for him and I thought he quickened up in the straight, handled the turns well and was strong through the line.

“I couldn’t be happier going into Saturday.”

Originally published as Tim Clark says Eliyass has gone from ‘strength to strength’ for Caulfield Cup