3 minute read

Looks Like Elvis is returning to Pakenham in search of a second win in the VOBIS Gold Bullion.

Warwick Farm based trainer Jarrod Austin is hoping lightning can strike twice with Looks Like Elvis at Pakenham. 

The eight-year-old, who is creeping close to the $1 million mark in prize money, runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) on Saturday, looking to repeat his victory in the same race from 12 months earlier. 

"He handles the Melbourne way of going without too much concern at all," Austin said. 

"The key with him is the big spacious tracks, he's not one for the small tracks. You get him on the big tracks, he adapts well to those, and Pakenham is certainly one of those." 

Austin has taken a different path to the Gold Bullion this year with Looks Like Elvis racing first-up. 

Looks Like Elvis was race fit when he won last year, but enters Saturday's race off two barrier trials, the latest at Warwick Farm on November 18. 

But that does not concern Austin who pointed out Looks Like Elvis was first-up when successful over 1400m at Flemington in June. 

"I don't have too many concerns about him being first-up into this race," Austin said. 

"He's had a couple of good solid trials, his work here last Saturday morning on the course proper was great and I'm pretty happy with where I've got him." 

Austin intends to return to Melbourne on New Year's Day to run Looks Like Elvis in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on New Year's Day. 

That was a race Looks Like Elvis finished second in behind Lighthouse this year. 

Looks Like Elvis is the best performed galloper in Austin's stable and he said it would be a great achievement if the gelding could topple the $1 million mark in prize money. 

"He's been such an honest campaigner," Austin said. 

"He always competes at a high level and always does his best, so it would be nice to get him over the $1 million mark."