YOU can’t plan better than perfection, and that’s exactly what Team McEvoy and Harry Coffey delivered at Ballarat on Tuesday.
Trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy brought only two runners to the meeting and Coffey had just two rides for the day – with them.
But things very nearly came unstuck in the opening race of the day when Coffey, on the unbackable odds-on favourite Carnival Row, turned a safe win into a very short half-head success.
Debutante Dashing Duchess, which was almost airborne it was flying so fast over the last 100m, was one more step away from being the winner.
“With there being no speed, and (Carnival Row) being the favourite runner, Tony and Calvin said ‘make your own luck and go forward’ and it probably didn’t suit him that well,” Coffey said.
“He had a good look around once he was out in front, and outside the leader, and he never really travelled like a winner, but fortunately enough we got the job done, albeit only marginally with that horse flying at the finish.
“So there’s improvement there and I think he can go better than he showed today and that will all come with racing.”
Coffey admitted that coming down the straight he was thinking “this is taking a fair while” because “he really didn’t quicken up much, he just sustained a steady gallop, and was waiting for the other horse and waiting for the pack”.
“So, I’m sure if one had got in a fight with us, he would have found another gear,” Coffey said.
“But when one launched at him late, right at the end, he didn’t have the chance to go with it, so he could have gone a lot better, he just got a bit lost in front.”
So with the $27,000 Brandt Plate (1500m) – and part one of the plan – in the bag, trainers and jockey had a sit down for the next four races before sending the New Zealand bred Tommy out for the $27,000 Hygain Winners Choice over 1500m.
Another favourite, he was always placed well in the eight-horse field and looked the horse most likely well out.
Until they straightened, with the pacemaker refusing to give in and chasers starting to look for an opening of their own.
But Coffey never panicked and slowly picked up the rate going down the straight to run away with clear air between him and the field.
“It was a really nice win, and (owners) My Racehorse do a good job with their team and get a lot of people involved and it looks like this one could prove a nice purchase out of New Zealand, because I don’t think you could win much better and he was really good through the line,” he said.
“I have trialled him a couple of times and don’t mind him, so hopefully there’s some fun to be had.
“Calvin has been pretty spot on with this horse and everything he said about him has ended up happening.
“And he said to me today to not be too cocky and confident but to wind him up, as he’s very one-paced, so you have to make sure you don’t leave him with too much to do and Calvin was spot on again.
“Yes, it took him a while to get into top gear, but that last 100m was really pleasing and really strong and while they’re winning like that there’s potential to get anywhere.”
