Iffraaj mare Elfee is heading into Saturday’s Christchurch Casino Open Handicap (1600m) at Riccarton in good form, having run in the money on all but one occasion this preparation.

Trainer Matthew Pitman described Elfee's barrier draw of 22 for Saturday's Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) as a "kick in the guts" but said the race is far from a lost cause.

A decent pay-day awaits Michael Pitman if he can land next month’s Winning Edge Presentations Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) on his home track with Elfee.

The powerful father and son training partnership of Michael and Matthew Pitman added another winning double to their impressive home track record at Riccarton on Saturday, albeit they had to share the spoils in one of those victories.