So Elusive in Pegasus Stakes

The Michael Pitman trained So Elusive proved exactly that on Saturday when heading a NZB trifecta in the Listed Yesberg Insurance Services Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

Drawing barrier two, So Elusive (NZ) (Elusive City x J'Lo) jumped well and was able to take a sit in fourth place on the fence for the running. Ridden by jockey Lisa Allpress, the five-year-old mare was brought across heals at the 300 metre mark and quickened nicely to race clear of her rivals, being eased down at the line to win by two-lengths.

It was the first stakes victory for the daughter of Elusive City who came into the race in good form after winning a rating 85 1200 metre sprint at Motukarara at her last start six days prior.

So Elusive's sire Elusive City has Lot 205 in the Ready to Run Sale (pictured above), the half-brother to the Group 1 winner Allez Wonder.

Bred by Jen Campin, So Elusive was purchased by her trainer Michael Pitman from Chequers Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock's Carnival Yearling Sale for $5,000. Raced by New Zealand Bloodstock's Insurance Manager Jim Bruford in partnership with Jim Piper, the mare has now won five of her 17 starts for stakes in excess of $89,000.

Running second in the Listed event was Golden Globe (NZ) (Gold Mine x Marita) who put in a solid performance after becoming fractious in the barriers and was vetted before the race. Mi Payday (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit x Pay Roll) ran on well for third place after getting a nice trail in transit and gave NZB the trifecta in the stakes race.

So Elusive is the 14th stakes winner for her sire Elusive City who stood at Haunui Farm during his time in New Zealand. The sire of the Group 1 winner Elusive Wave, Elusive City saw his Group 3 winning son Ahdashim take the Turner Freedman Handicap fresh up last weekend at Rosehill.

He is also the sire of the lightly raced three-year-old Adamantium who topped the 2010 Karaka Select Sale when purchased by O'Brien Thoroughbreds for $250,000 and won over 1200 metres on Caulfield Guineas day. Elusive City has nine two-year-olds in the Ready to Run Sale including the half-brother to the Group 1 winner Allez Wonder (Redoute's Choice) at Lot 205 from Mana Park.