NZ galloper Elephant to start All-Star Mile bid at Flemington on Lightning Stakes day

Elephant’s trainers decided on a race at Flemington rather than a Group 1 target as a first lead-up run towards the All-Star Mile.

Smart New Zealand galloper Elephant will return to Australia for a Listed race at Flemington on Lightning Stakes day. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Popular Kiwi galloper Elephant will kick off his latest Australian campaign at Flemington on Saturday week.

Elephant endeared himself to Melbourne punters with a consistent spring campaign that produced two wins and two solid placings in Group 2 races from five starts.

Co-trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne considered running Elephant in a Group 1 race in New Zealand on Saturday but decided to run the gelding in a Listed race at Flemington on Lightning Stakes day.

Emma-Lee Browne said the Flemington race would serve as the perfect start to his preparation, which is aimed at the All-Start Mile on March 19.

“It enables him to have a first look at Flemington and have a decent hitout before his second up run which we think will most likely be in the Blamey Stakes a fortnight later,” she said.

“Hopefully, he will have made the field for the All-Star Mile by then and he will go into that one third-up.”

Elephant is a $17 chance in the latest All-Star Mile betting.

Originally published as NZ galloper Elephant to start All-Star Mile bid at Flemington on Lightning Stakes day