By Glenn Davis
Talented galloper Looks Like Elvis will face the first of two tests to book a return interstate trip for the Group 3 Newcastle Cup when he runs at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Looks Like Elvis was narrowly beaten last start when second to the David Pfieffer-trained Love Shack Baby in the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) on August 1.
Trainer Bryan Dais was buoyed by the five-year-old’s effort and is keen to return for the Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 20.
Looks Like Elvis has shown ability throughout his career which has produced five wins and 10 placings from 26 starts.
The son of All American has drawn barrier one in the Benchmark 80 Handicap (1600m) but was allotted a massive 61.5kgs.
However, Dais has engaged Toowoomba apprentice Nick Keal whose three-kilogram claim reduces his weight significantly.
“I think the draw is perfect for him and he likes to get a smother in his races,” Dais said.
“The Coffs Harbour Cup was only his third run this campaign and he was going to open company for only the second time in his career.
“The only other start he had in open grade was on a bottomless track at the Gold Coast."
Dais plans to give Looks Like Elvis another start in an 1800-metre Class Six at Eagle Farm in two weeks before confirming a Newcastle Cup trip.
“He’s never raced beyond 2000 metres and the Newcastle Cup is 2300 metres so that’s the big query for him,” Dais said.
“He’s had two runs at 2000 metres and arguably should have won both when I took him to Randwick and Flemington.
“He ran well and had a perfect run in the Coffs Harbour Cup but the track might have been a bit soft for him.
“They upgraded the track from a soft six to a soft five but they still ran the last 600 metres in 37.84 seconds.”
Dais believes the claim brings Looks Like Elvis right into calculations to register another win.
“I think he’s well placed now with that weight and he’s improved immensely since the Coffs Harbour Cup," he said.
“Given good luck he’ll be hard to beat again.”
Racing Queensland webnews August 15