By: Mark Nowell

Elusive State caused a minor upset when taking out the $20,000 New World Te Rapa 2YO 1200 at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Owned by Angel Cruz and trained by her sons Trevor and Martin at Cambridge, the son of All American was having his debut start after a trial placing in March, even surprised his connections with the first-up performance.

Drawn barrier 7 in a nine horse field, jockey Lynsey Satherley settled Elusive State outside the leader Culzean until taking the lead in the final 300 metres to beat highly rated Poker Face and Zavistic.

The Cruz's are likely to aim their first two-year-old runner of the season at the three-year-old stakes races in the spring.

"Our bloke is still green, so he will learn a lot. He'll come back a better horse. Hopefully for the spring Guineas races," Trevor Cruz said.

The Australian-bred gelding a half-brother to the 10-race winner and stakes performer Absolut Excelencia.