Cairns mare El Of A Saga to vindicate stud delay

By Glenn Davis

A decision to delay sending talented mare El Of A Saga to the breeding barn this season could reap its rewards in the Belle Of The Daintree at Cairns on Saturday.

The six-year-old lines up for her 39th start in the 1500 metre feature, which carries a $50,000 purse, with $27,500 going to the winner.

El Of A Saga has won seven times and placed on another 16 occasions.

She is backing up after finishing third to the Alex Malliff-trained Love Story in a 1200 metre Open sprint at Innisfail last Saturday.

El Of A Saga will be ridden by respected hoop Shane Pawsey (pictured) on Saturday, as the top jockey builds in his comeback from a recent injury lay-off. 

Trainer Fred Wieland paid $5,000 for the daughter of Real Saga at the Gold Coast Magic Millions sales as a yearling and she’s been great for the stable, banking almost $186,000 in prize money.

El Of A Saga is a family horse, which is owned by Wieland and wife Lyn as well as his sister Olivia.

Wieland said consideration was given to retiring El Of A Saga to stud but her form dictated she race on.

“It’s been in the back of my mind for a while to send her to stud but she’s been racing too well,” Wieland said.

“She’s getting close to retiring and this will probably be her last preparation.

“Every time she runs, she puts in a good performance and I can’t see why she can’t run well again.”

Wieland rates the Alwyn Bailey-trained Stifling as the main threat to El Of A Saga on Saturday. 

“Stifling is the danger on her last run when it finished second behind Poetic Attacks at Townsville,” he said.

Wieland has booked jockey Pawsey to ride El Of A Saga, who must overcome a mammoth 64.5kgs.

“It’s a lot of weight and it’s a non-claiming race,” Wieland said.

“She got 1.5kgs more than I expected as she doesn’t get a discount with it being a fillies and mare’s race."

Wieland is hoping for a big day out on Cairns Newmarket day as he also saddles up Prime Ruler (pictured) in the 1400 metre feature.

“Prime Ruler is running in this and hopefully the Cairns Amateurs before he goes out for a break,” Wieland said.

“He ran fourth and had to do it a bit tough in Cleveland Bay but he’s fine and will be hard to beat.”