Nellie Leylax Returns to Winning Ways at Caulfield

Nellie Leylax returned to the winner’s stall in impressive fashion on Saturday, producing a dominant performance in the Sportsbet Fixed Odds Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield.
 
The five-year-old gelding made the trip south from Archibald Racing’s Warwick Farm base worthwhile, surging clear in the straight to score by two lengths under in-form apprentice Ryan Houston.
 
Houston settled Nellie Leylax comfortably off a genuine early tempo before producing him at the right time, with the son of Calyx proving far too strong for his rivals in the closing stages.
 
The victory was the seventh of Nellie Leylax’s career and a deserved reward for his consistency throughout the preparation.
 
Houston was full of praise for both the horse and trainer Annabel Archibald following the win.
 
"We were going a good tempo early. I just thought if we came back, which was an option from Annabel, the horse settled even better in behind and never looked like getting beat," Houston said.
 
The victory also continued a successful association between Houston and the Archibald stable, with the apprentice now having partnered 12 winners for Annabel Archibald.
 
"She's one of my biggest supporters, we have a really good strike rate. Look, I don't know why she picked me to have the responsibility, but she's been trusting me with heaps of rides and we've had a good season together."