Written by Paul Vettise
Tony and Calvin McEvoy are giving serious consideration to a quick back-up for Pretty Brazen (Brazen Beau) to give the mare an opportunity for a crack at a Group 1 prize.
The father and son training duo produced the 4-year-old to account for a competitive line-up of mares in Saturday’s G2 Furphy Let’s Elope S. at Flemington.
Pretty Brazen was at long odds following an unplaced run in the G3 Cockram S. at Caulfield a fortnight ago and Calvin McEvoy admitted they were a shade disappointed.
“She was fantastic today, really tough and she had trained on well since her first-up run,” he said. “We thought it was only a pass mark and expected a bit more, but now she’s out to 1400 metres we are really seeing the best of her.
“We will think about backing her up in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. next weekend. It’s pretty firm out there and it will depend how she comes through the race.”
Pretty Brazen settled behind the leading bunch and when she was into the clear in the straight she stretched out generously to post the fifth win of her career, and second at Group 2 level after claiming last season’s Sandown Guineas.
Arcadia Queen (Pierro) missed a run in the G1 Memsie S. due to a foot issue and she got her campaign back on track with a strong late burst for second.
“Hopefully, we can get to the G1 Cox Plate, but we’re keeping our options open and will take it a race at a time,” co-trainer Grant Williams said.
Jockey’s comeback crowned
It was also a welcome success for jockey Luke Currie, who hasn’t long returned to the saddle after suffering spinal injuries, broken ribs, a chipped thumb bone and concussion in a horror fall at Moonee Valley back in February.
“It’s great to get Luke Currie his first winner back. He’s a great team player and I’m thrilled to get him a Group 2 winner,” McEvoy said.
Luke Currie
Pretty Brazen was purchased by McEvoy Mitchell Racing for $700,000 on behalf of the Huddy family’s Peachester Lodge operation at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where she was offered by Coolmore.
She is a daughter of the Encosta De Lago mare Pretty Penny, who was a six-time winner and was Group 3 placed.
But in a broodmare role she has really starred as the dam of the G2 Zipping Classic winner Sertorius (Galileo {Ire}), Pretty Brazen’s dual Group 3-winning stablemate Dollar For Dollar (High Chaparral {Ire}), the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. winner Clifton Red (Sebring) and his brother Rezealient ran second in the G1 South Australian Derby.
Feature names further back in the pedigree include the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Tontonan (Showdown {GB}) and the G3 Saab H. winner Moatize (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who also finished third in the G1 Australian Cup.
Pretty Brazen as a yearling
