The Gary Portelli trained gelding Elusive Lad can complete a running double at Hawkesbury this afternoon in the Sandvik Hcp (Race 1 at 1.12pm AEDT).

Elusive Lad (4g Elusive Quality – Little Pattie by Polish Patriot) won his maiden at Wyong in January and returned this season for a first-up second (beaten a half neck) behind Watch The Tele at Hawkesbury on October 11.

Second-up at Hawkesbury, he was ridden from behind to score by a half-length on October 22.  He relishes the 1000m trip at the Clarendon course and can handle step up in grade this afternoon.

Elusive Lad is by Elusive Quality who is a leading sire in the Northern hemisphere, however, that success didn’t transfer Down Under.  His dam Little Pattie was a talented mare winning at Listed level in the Dark Jewel Classic at Scone and the Sapphire Stakes at Randwick.

Portelli paid $35,000 for Elusive Lad at the 2007 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.  He was bred by Flame Tree Stud and was offered for sale by Southern Cross Breeders.