Klipdrif Stud’s successful sire Elusive Fort enjoyed more success this past weekend, with his classy son Elevated bouncing back to winning ways and daughter Conquering Queen picking up an Eastern Cape racing award.

Bred by the Favour Stud, Elevated made a winning debut for new trainer Mike de Kock when saluting over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday, under a gentle ride from jockey Callan Murray.

Formerly trained in the Western Cape by Riaan Van Reenen, Elevated had previously finished runner up in both the G3 Cape Classic and Listed Somerset 1200 and was also fourth, to Klawervlei’s exciting new sire William Longsword, in last season’s G1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas.

The gelding does hold an entry for the R750 000 Grand Heritage but connections hinted after the race that Elevated could be aimed at bigger and better things this season. Saturday’s victory pushed Elevated’s earnings to over R280 000 –a fine return on the R100 000 spent by connections on the son of Elusive Fort at the 2015 CTS August Two-Year-Old Sale.

His Equus Champion sire Elusive Fort also enjoyed recognition at Saturday’s Eastern Cape Racing Awards ceremony, where his Conquering Queen, a multiple polytrack winner last season, was named Champion Polytrack Filly/Mare.

The sire of high-class performers Siren’s Call, Lauderdale, Safe Harbour and Fort Ember, Elusive Fort’s newly turned 3yos include promising debut winner Elusive Heart.