Four from Four for Tony at Cheltenham
- Monday, 24 February 2003 00:00
The four Cheltenham victors helped erase some of the frustration for the stable who watched in vain as both North Boy and Fields of Omagh were narrowly beaten in feature events at Caulfield in Melbourne.
Exciting youngster San Simeon could be bound for Sydney after a soft debut win in the Forrest Estate Wines Handicap over 1000 metres.
A two-year-old colt by King of Kings, San Simeon was joined by another debut performer Kingston Sea for much of the race before powering away shortly after straightening to win easily.
On the line the Simon Price mount had a five and a quarter length advantage over Kingston Sea, while the second favourite She's a Card was a further two lengths away in third place.
McEvoy said the colt, who is part owned by Lindsay Park principal David Hayes, could be headed north for feature races in Sydney if all went well.
"It all depends on how he comes through the race," McEvoy said this afternoon. "But if I'm happy with him he will go to Sydney and his next run would probably be in the Kindergarten Stakes."
Three races later the favourite punters were again applauding a Lindsay Park trained runner when the exciting performer Yvonne made it three wins from three starts in the Smoke-Free Handicap over 1260 metres.
With in form Morphettville based rider Jason Holder in the saddle the three-year-old filly by Last Tycoon finishing too powerfully to down Mr Jazz man by a long neck.
Not surprisingly McEvoy was impressed with the performance of the three-year-old, who carried the familiar all navy colours of Coolmore Stud to victory.
"She's a lovely filly," McEvoy reported. "It (the win) was a good effort as she was a touch slow out (of the barriers) but she sprinted home really strong."
McEvoy indicated Yvonne's next start would come in the listed HC Nitschke Stakes at Cheltenham on March 15.
The stable notched up three wins in the very next event when the lightly raced, but highly promising, Nikalapko scored a soft one and a half length win in the Marsh Handicap (1360m).
A last start Class One winner at Murray Bridge, Nikalapko is a son of the former Australian Horse of the Year, the Lindsay Park based siring star Jeune.
Connections are looking at sending the gelding east to Melbourne for his next start.
"He's still a bit immature and I'd like him to have his next start at Sandown on March 16," McEvoy said.
The winning foursome was completed in the seventh race when the accomplished galloper Fraar's Turn proved too classy in the Bonnetts Handicap (1460m).
A five-year-old gelding by the former Caulfield Cup winner Fraar, the Simon Price ridden Fraar's Turn downed Quick Class by a long neck, while the odds on favourite Smokey Ireland was a further half length back in third place.
"We'll look at him having his next start in the (listed) OP Classic Mile over 1600 metres at Morphettville," McEvoy added. That race will be one of two listed events run at headquarters on March 8.
Thanks to the four wins at Cheltenham Park, Tony McEvoy has now stormed to a 27 winner lead in the Adelaide training premiership. Since August 1 McEvoy has prepared 46 winners, well clear of David Balfour's 19 and Leon Macdonald's 16 victors.
Meanwhile, McEvoy has reported his Melbourne Group race second placegetters North Boy and Fields of Omagh have both pulled up well after their top runs at Caulfield.
Fields of Omagh will head straight into the Australian Cup for a return clash with Northerly, while Northerly's half brother North Boy is on track for the Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
PICS - Fiona Tomlin.
