Former Sydney galloper Elusive Touch continues to be a revelation for trainer Mark Kavanagh after the five-year-old landed Melbourne's first Group race for the season at Flemington.The son of Elusive Quality made it four wins from nine starts when he fought on bravely to defeat the unlucky Leica Larrikin by a head in the Group Three Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m).The pair finished 2-3/4 lengths ahead of Beltrois who edged out Royal Ida for third while Group One-winning mare Headway was close up a

Former Sydney galloper Elusive Touch continues to be a revelation for trainer Mark Kavanagh after the five-year-old landed Melbourne's first Group race for the season at Flemington.

The son of Elusive Quality made it four wins from nine starts when he fought on bravely to defeat the unlucky Leica Larrikin by a head in the Group Three Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m).

The pair finished 2-3/4 lengths ahead of Beltrois who edged out Royal Ida for third while Group One-winning mare Headway was close up a half-neck away in fifth place.

Formerly trained by Tim Martin in Sydney, Elusive Touch flagged his class to Kavanagh when he finished second to stakeswinner Captain Coltish at Moonee Valley at his stable debut in January.

At his next start in June he won a heat of the All Victorian Sprint Series (1200m) at Flemington and was beaten a head when second to Elumino in last month's Series Final.

"The horse came to me as a restricted galloper and he's gone through his grades pretty quickly to win an Aurie's Star," Kavanagh said.

"He likes a bit of soft ground and likes his races spaced so we have kept him happy and he's going okay.

"I don't know how far into the spring we will go with him, we will just wait and see."

Kavanagh, who last week returned from a month-long overseas holiday, said Elusive Touch had the fitness edge on several runners on Saturday including Headway, Beltrois, Spacecraft and Uxorious who were all resuming from spells.

Elusive Touch's jockey Stephen Baster said the gelding refused to surrender despite a strong challenge from Leica Larrikin who nearly snatched a last-stride win.

"At the 300 metres I thought he (Elusive Touch) was going to struggle a little bit but he puts his head out and just keeps finding," Baster said.

Leica Larrikin hadn't raced since completing a hat-trick of wins when scoring at Flemington two months ago and was gallant in defeat after having trouble getting a clear passage in the race.

Trainer Richard Freyer described the performance of Leica Larrikin, who is nominated for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, as unbelievable.

"He didn't get his luck when he needed it," Freyer said. "He ran an unbelievable race."

Freyer queried the appearance of Leica Larrikin as a "two-miler" but is keeping his options open while also considering the Group One Emirates Stakes (1600m) on the last day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Jockey Damien Oliver was positive about Headway's fifth placing and said she would only get better.

"She wasn't real comfortable when she hit that softer ground on the course proper and she will benefit from the run," Oliver said.