In-form stayer set for Ellerslie return

[Wandering Eyes]

Final Return has raced creditably in strong company at Ellerslie without major success and will be back there on New Year’s Day in a bid to break through.

The New Plymouth-based stayer has regularly tripped north and collected four placings on the course, including a third in the Gr.3 Avondale Cup (2400m) earlier this year.

Final Return has another visit on his immediate program for a crack at the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) on January 1 after finishing fourth in the 2025 edition of the event.

“He hits himself on his left hind hock, so we have to be careful where we race him,” trainer Janelle Millar said.

“He’s better going the Ellerslie way and doesn’t hit himself that way around, it’s just his conformation really.”

Final Return emphasised that right-handed suitability at his latest appearance with a gallant victory in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe.

“He pulled up really well after that, I was quite surprised and thought it may have knocked him, but it didn’t at all,” Millar said.

“He was running around the paddock like a two-year-old and he never does that so he’s obviously going very well.

“He’s probably the highest-rated three-win horse in New Zealand, he’s very consistent, always tries and will stay all day.”

Millar also has another pair of last-start winners ready for action this week, although she’s on weather watch with one of them.

She has Tiny Diamond in the Grangewilliam Stud R75 (1600m) at New Plymouth on Thursday following his most recent course and distance victory last month.

“He’s trained on super but if the track gets too heavy he probably won’t run, he’s got too good a turn of foot for that,” Millar said.

Meanwhile, Ocean Park filly Laura’s Legacy was untroubled to win on debut on her home course and will run in Saturday’s Graham’s Painters 3YO (1400m) at Trentham with a view to returning for a sterner test.

“She has also trained on well since her last start and we want to aim for some of the fillies’ races with her,” Millar said.

“It was no surprise what she did last time, she had plenty left in the tank and was one of the last to pull up.

“She can have a look around Wellington and then go back for the Eulogy Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m).”

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