Leading Melbourne trainer Mathew Ellerton is enjoying a great start to 2004, following on from his outstanding 2003, where the stable was successful at the highest level, with Casual Pass taking out the G1 Mackinnon Stakes. Casual Pass could be a star of the Autumn Carnival.

Flemington based Mathew has saddled up 4 winners in the two weeks since the calendar changed from 2003 to 2004.

Flying the Ellerton flag is the exciting staying prospect, Si Senor, whose win at Caulfield on Saturday Jan 10th over 2000m took his prizemoney to over $340,000 and was his second win in 2004, having won at Moonee Valley on 3 Jan, which followed his narrow nose 2nd to Southern Crown at Geelong on 17 Dec, Southern Crown having subsequently won the G3 Bagot Handicap at Flemington on New Years Day.

Another impressive winner for the Ellerton stable was the 3yo filly Cosmic Beam, who bought up a double for Mathew at Moonee Valley on 3 Jan, where she won over 1200m beating stakes placed Al Samoud. Cosmic Beam was a Winform Best
Bet selection.

And kicking off the New Year with a narrow win was Secret Desire who took out the 1400m Mares Hcp at Flemington on New Years Day, taking her prizemoney to over $190,000.

Mathew is also equal 3rd on the Victorian Trainers Premiership, with 16 winners for the season from 82 runners, at an impressive strike-rate of 19.51% winners to runners. If that keeps up, he will truly be one of the stars of the current season but it's early days yet.

Mathew is currently at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale, and will be attending all major sales in Australia and New Zealand in order to build up his stable even further in preparation for the 2004/2005 season. Early planning is just one of the reasons for Ellerton's success.