Nascent reinsman Liam Elliott is daring to dream big this Friday night when he stares down a maiden Group 1 victory with Seaside Serenade in the $250,000 Diamond Classic (2130m) at Gloucester Park.

The 20-year-old, who has driven Seaside Serenade in all five of her career starts, experienced his biggest moment in racing when guiding the filly to success in the Listed $125,000 Sales Classic in late February.

Spelled thereafter, she tasted defeat for the first time when a grinding third behind Im Catastrophic in her heat of the Diamond last week after working throughout.

Elliott says the two-year-old is sure to benefit from that hit-out and will derive necessary improvement for this week.

“I thought her first up run was good, and all signs have pointed towards her needing it,” Elliott said.

“I’m hoping we can see the best version of her Friday night. There are so many good fillies this year and it’s going to make for some exciting clashes in future.”

The Downbytheseaside youngster was handed a key advantage when drawing gate two for the final, outside only All Out Of Aces.

“Barrier two is perfect,” Elliott said.

“She is just so versatile and has such good change-up speed. We will have our sights set on the front and if she finds her way there, she will take some running down.

“Her speed is her best asset by far. She’s just got such a big stride and covers the ground so fast.”

Elliott, working closely with trainer Ryan Bell, enjoyed a breakout 2025 season with 76 winners.

However, only two weeks after his watershed win in the Sales Classic, his momentum crashed when sustaining a broken wrist in a race fall.

Despite the enforced 12-week absence, he did not miss any of Seaside Serenade’s most important work.

“She’s been my one of my favourites since the first day she walked into the stables and with every passing day she’s getting further in front,” he said.

“She’s already taken me on such an amazing ride and hopefully we can continue that ride Friday night.

“It’s not every day you get an opportunity to drive a horse of her calibre in such a big race.

“We live and breathe this sport and to win a Group 1 would be a dream come true.”

Meanwhile, the nominal favourite for the Group 1 $250,000 Pearl Classic also fared perfectly in the barrier draw as unbeaten gelding Hez The Boss came up with gate one.

The Colin Brown-trained son of Poster Boy made light work of his opposition in his heat last week and is sure to be a short-priced elect.

Fellow heat victors Ideal Whisper and Beau Para will start from barriers four and seven respectively.