Swan Hill’s Elvstroem Classic has been the launching pad for several top-class gallopers over the years and Friday’s winner Collar can also go on to better things for owner Lloyd Williams.

Collar (2g O’Reilly – Laebeel by Zabeel) confirmed the high rating connections had on the youngster with a three length victory on debut.  He joins a Classic honour-roll that includes subsequent G1 winners Elvstroem and Haradasun.

Collar is a half-brother to Larry’s Never Late (Pentire), a G3 winner of the MRC Sandown Stakes and Launceston Cup.

Their dam Laebeel was a Listed winner of the VRC Matriarch Stakes and she was also runner-up in a G1 Caulfield Cup.  Her latest winner was a $160,000 buy for Team Williams from Little Avondale Stud at the 2020 Inglis Easter yearling sale.

Laebeel has also foaled the minor winners Choicely (Redoute’s Choice) and Sesotho (Danasinga).  

Collar is by Waikato Stud champion O’Reilly who has sired 49 stakes winners.  Surprisingly, not one of those black-type winners is out of a Zabeel mare.