Liam Elliott Set for Breakthrough Win with Perfect Draw for Seaside Serenade
Emerging harness racing talent Liam Elliott is on the cusp of securing his most significant victory to date, with undefeated two-year-old filly Seaside Serenade drawing an ideal barrier for the upcoming $125,000 APG WA 2yo Fillies Sales Classic Final at Gloucester Park this Friday night. The promising reinsman, who has been making waves in Western Australia's racing scene, will guide the favourite from gate two in the 1730-metre event, setting the stage for a potentially dominant performance.
Seaside Serenade's Impressive Form and Favorable Barrier
Seaside Serenade, a daughter of Downbytheseaside, has been nothing short of spectacular in her brief career, winning all three of her starts with commanding ease. Her odds in those races have been remarkably short, starting at $1.70, $2.15, and $1.60, reflecting her status as a standout contender. In her most recent heat victory last Tuesday, she demonstrated blistering speed, leading from the front and cruising to a 13-metre win over Pocket Of Dreams, clocking a mile rate of 1:55.8—3.2 seconds faster than the other fillies' heat.
Elliott expressed his excitement about the draw, stating, "When I saw she had drawn barrier two, I was ecstatic and felt a sigh of relief. That's only half the battle, but I couldn't be happier heading into this week. Her work has been good, and she is licking her bowl clean, so it's all systems go for Friday." This perfect starting position is expected to allow Seaside Serenade to seize an early advantage, further solidifying her favouritism in the race.
Liam Elliott's Rapid Rise in Harness Racing
At just 19 years old, Liam Elliott has quickly established himself as one of Western Australia's hottest drivers. After notching his first win on $91 outsider Alta Montel at Narrogin in October 2023, shortly after obtaining his licence, he enjoyed a breakout season in 2025 with 76 victories. Earlier this year, he achieved his 100th career win with Bazaar Package on January 10, and so far in 2026, he has amassed 22 wins at an impressive strike rate of 26 percent.
Currently, Elliott sits third on the state premiership, trailing only seasoned veterans Aiden De Campo (27 wins) and Shannon Suvaljko (23 wins). His momentum and skill behind the sulky have made him a formidable force in the industry, with the upcoming final offering a prime opportunity to add a major title to his growing resume.
Other Key Contenders and Trainer Insights
In the colts and geldings' final, master juvenile trainer Justin Prentice has also fared well in the barrier draw, with Magic Playa and Ideal Whisper starting from gates one and two, respectively. Prentice previously quinella'd this event in 2019, and these draws could pave the way for a historical repeat. However, Hez The Boss, despite drawing alley eight, remains a looming threat, especially with elite reinsman Gary Hall Jr. likely to retain the drive.
Hall Jr., who drove Ideal Whisper to a qualifying win but has since piloted Hez The Boss to two consecutive victories, adds an element of intrigue to the race. Meanwhile, in other racing news, Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Hugh Bowman is set to return to Flemington for the All Star Mile-Newmarket Handicap meeting, aiming for his 100th Group 1 win. Additionally, former Hong Kong champion Joao Moreira will return to Asia in April to ride for leading trainer Caspar Fownes.
International Racing Highlights and Comparisons
The article also touches on international racing, noting that Ka Ying Rising received a rating of 137 from the UK's Racing Post for his 1400-metre win at Sha Tin, surpassing Black Caviar's best-ever rating of 136. Black Caviar's trainer, Peter Moody, responded to comparisons by highlighting her undefeated record. In related news, Tentyris, rated 123 for his Black Caviar Lightning Stakes victory, may face Ka Ying Rising in The Everest later this year, with co-trainer Sam Freedman expressing hope for the matchup.
As the racing community anticipates these events, all eyes will be on Gloucester Park this Friday, where Liam Elliott and Seaside Serenade aim to cement their status as rising stars in the sport.
