Minor set-back for in-form Elvis

A minor set-back will keep Elvis away from Friday’s Gr.3 Wellington Stakes and he’s likely to return at Trentham to defend his unbeaten three-year-old record.

“He got a slight viral infection and one of his lymph nodes was a bit puffy,” Taranaki owner-trainer Warren Bolton said.

“I had to back off him and let him get over it and as long as he comes through okay he’ll run in a three-year-old race at Wellington.”

Elvis won once from three two-year-old outings and he is undefeated in two appearances this season following a first-up success at New Plymouth and an age group victory at Trentham.

The son of Road To Rock’s last-start win has since taken on particular success as he accounted for Rockfast, runner-up in the more recent Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.

Provided he is back to full health, Elvis will run in a $30,000 age group event over 1400m on December 6 on the capital city course with a January 17 return for the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) a future option.

Bolton believes the gelding can also be effective over more ground in the autumn.

“I’ve nominated him for the New Zealand Derby and there’s the Australian Derby depending how things go,” he said. “He relaxes in his races and switches off - he only does what he has to.”

Meanwhile, stablemate Duke Of York has come through his run for sixth in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup at Riccarton without incident.

The Duelled gelding is likely to have another crack at 3200 metres in next month’s Chalmers Handicap at Trentham. He was third in the race last year behind Pump Up The Volume.