Racing: Elsu makes it win No 18

By MICHAEL GUERIN

Punters may have had their hearts in their mouths with Elsu last night but the man in the hot seat couldn't have been more relaxed.

Elsu continued his winning streak with what turned out to be an easy win in the $100,000 Messenger Championship.

But it didn't look like being that way with a lap to go as Elsu had raced three wide for the first 1400m when the pace was on, sapping energy which could have left him a sitting duck.

But while it looked tough his driver David Butcher said he was never concerned.

"I know how good he is. And he is better than these horses," said Butcher. "That is no disrespect to the other horses but this horse can do anything, sprint, stay.

"He was out there three wide just cruising along and he is that relaxed I was never worried. In the end he did it pretty easy."

Even after his early exertions Elsu cruised clear at the top of the straight and only trailer London Legend looked a threat, the pair providing the same quinella as in last Fridays Taylor Mile.

The win was Elsu's 18th and take him to over $940,000 in stakes.