Elite Beau launched his career under Grant and Alana Williams in impressive style and looks set for higher honours after winning his first start at Ascot on Wednesday.
As a $375,000 yearling and coming off one impressive trial victory, there was plenty of anticipation ahead of his debut, but the son of Brazen Beau delivered in style.
Sent out the $2.90 favourite, Elite Beau enjoyed a good run in transit, settling sixth and let down strongly in the straight when jockey William Pike asked him for an effort.
On debut, Elite Beau beat home Pgymalion by ¾ of a length with another 1 ½ lengths to Solar Chant in third place. The heavily commissioned Brazen Butcher ran fifth.
Tabtouch reacted quickly to Brazen Beau’s win, his price shortening from $15 to $11 for the $500,000 Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) on April 26.
Admitting to a sense of relief after the win, Grant Williams, in a rare foray into two-year-old ranks, had plenty of praise for his debutant.
“What does gives us a lot of confidence is obviously he’s a lovely colt, he’s very smart,” Williams said.
“Like today (Wednesday) it’s his second outing and he’s had one lifetime trial where he led up.
“I wasn’t that happy that he led up because we didn’t learn anything, but he’s a quick learner.
“I think he’ll improve a lot on that and hopefully he pulls up all good, going forward he’ll have to pull up good to keep pushing on, but it will be great if we could.”
Williams won’t be rushed but if all goes to plan, Elite Beau will go to the Perth Stakes over 1100m on April 12 enroute to the Karrakatta Plate.
“We’ll see how goes when he gets home,” Williams said.
“That’s the likely program for him, but it’s all one day at a time.
“It’s a little bit early for our stable to have these two-year-olds, but he’s a quality colt.
“I’m sure he’ll be able to that that as a three and four-year-old as well.
“Hopefully we can do the right thing by him and head that way.”
Pike was equally impressed with Elite Beau’s first official race track performance and agreed with Williams’ assessment.
The champion hoop is in a good position to judge after partnering leading Karrakatta Plate contenders in recent weeks.
Pike led home Yes Queen and God’s Rapture to two-year-old wins and ran a close second on She’s Hot on debut.
He says there’s plenty of upside with Elite Beau.
“I think in the trial it was quite unusual to be in front,” Pike said.
“He was well educated as far as the barriers go and found himself there.
“He’s very raw and hasn’t a clue what he’s doing out there but obviously has natural ability to get the job done.”
Elite Beau provided China Horse Club’s Perth venture with a great tonic.
They purchased Elite Beau in partnership with Grant and Alana Williams and Suman Hedge Bloodstock at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
China Horse Club had previous starters in WA including King Of Sparta in last year’s Quokka and Wonderfully Made, another exciting juvenile prospect.
A Playing God filly and trained by Dan Morton, she ran a solid second to God’s Rapture on debut on March 22.
