Kiwi import ELLE HUDSON broke his maiden in fine style at Wyong on Sunday suggesting there will be more to come from this promising gelding.
After settling back in the field, the son of Derby-winning stallion TARZINO had to dig deep to wear down leader CASTERLY ROCK, who looked to have the race shot to bits at the furlong marker.
The field clocked 34.9 seconds for the last 600m and given ELLE HUDSON’s position in run, he’s reeled off a sprint that will make him dynamite if he can get out to the distance he’s bred to get of 2400m.
Our first tried horse with @PrideRacing is a winner! TARZINO gelding ELLE HUDSON was purchased after one start in NZ & on Sunday at @WyongRaceClub he broke his maiden as a short priced favourite over a mile. Look out for him in staying races over the summer. @WestburyStud… pic.twitter.com/xJWK3kBqCl
— PR🟢VEN Thoroughbreds (@ProvenTbreds) August 4, 2024
On the line, ELLE HUDSON ($1.35) had just 0.2L to spare over CASTERLY ROCK ($8.50) with 1.9L to LE SOUCI ($71) in third.
“The margin he won by doesn’t reflect how nice a horse he is,” winning jockey Regan Bayliss said.
“The winner skipped away from us on the bend because we didn’t really handle the tight corner here that well.
“But he was so strong on the line and through it, well, it took plenty to pull him up.
“When he steps up in trip he’s going to keep raising the bar.”
Trainer Joe Pride has elected to spell ELLE HUDSON with a view to targeting staying races over the summer.
The four-year-old grey was a private acquisition after one start in New Zealand where he finished an eye-catching 4th over 1200m at Ruakaka. He is the first tried horse for Proven Thoroughbreds/Pride Racing and is our second winner for the new season, following COSMONOVA’s victory at Rosehill last Saturday.
