Punters are hoping to get off to a strong start at Te Rapa on Saturday, with unbeaten four-year-old Elephant all the rage in the first event on the card, the Lodge Property Management 1400.

The son of Shocking has won his two starts to date for Emma-Lee and David Browne and has firmed from $2.10 into $1.80 favourite to maintain his unbeaten run.

“He’s still learning, and it is a jump up in class,” Emma-Lee Browne said.

“I don’t think 1400m will be his best distance and he will be better over a mile, but we wanted to give him another run over 1400m so he will learn to settle a bit better.”

Whilst wary of talented rival Packing Rockstar ($3.40), Browne is confident their charge has the quality to win again and will have ace hoop Opie Bosson in the saddle.