Kav makes dream start to new season with the right Touch at Flemington

FLEMINGTON trainer Mark Kavanagh made a dream start to the new racing season at headquarters when he won the first group race on offer with the Aurie's Star Handicap win of Elusive Touch yesterday, reports the Sunday Age.It says: Last season's Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, Kavanagh, who will soon kick off the spring campaigns of his stars Shocking, Whobegotyou, Shamoline Warrior and the promising We're Gonna Rock, said Elusive Touch might not go too far into the spring carnival but had already

FLEMINGTON trainer Mark Kavanagh made a dream start to the new racing season at headquarters when he won the first group race on offer with the Aurie's Star Handicap win of Elusive Touch yesterday, reports the Sunday Age.

It says: Last season's Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, Kavanagh, who will soon kick off the spring campaigns of his stars Shocking, Whobegotyou, Shamoline Warrior and the promising We're Gonna Rock, said Elusive Touch might not go too far into the spring carnival but had already proven his worth in just four runs for the stable.

''When he came to us [from Sydney], he was a restricted galloper and he's been going through his grades quickly and so this is a good result for this horse,'' he said. ''He's had a few runs under his belt and when you get to this time of year, runs under the belt are very handy when taking on the better-performed horses.''

Kavanagh said Melbourne Cup winner Shocking was likely to return in next Saturday's group 2 Liston Stakes at Caulfield. Shamoline Warrior, who has not been seen since he was scratched from last spring's Victoria Derby on race morning when the hot favourite, may also resume in the 1400-metre event.

Punters came for Elusive Touch moments before the race yesterday with the five-year-old firming from $4.20 to $3.80. After his mount settled just off the speed provided by Grand Duels and Viking Turf Belle, jockey Stephen Baster went for home and Elusive Touch held off a brave late challenge from Leica Larrikin ($41) to win by a head, with 2¥ lengths to Beltrois ($8) in third place.