Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
It seems likely though that McEvoy Snr may lift his assessment of Xtravagant Star now that she has won the biggest race on one of the biggest days of 2-year-old racing in the land, taking more than $1 million and booking herself a spot in the premier event for her age, the Golden Slipper.
In fact, it took little time for McEvoy to change his opinion of the filly from Sebring mare She’s A Danica, that of “she’s a solid horse at home but she didn’t have that wow factor’’.
Calvin and Tony McEvoy after winning the R. Listed Inglis Millennium at Randwick | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“I’m liking her more and more, though,’’ McEvoy said straight after she took the win with a gutsy performance pushing to the front a long way out and holding off the fast-finishing pair of Paris Dior (Pierro) and Sejardan (Sebring).
Confident starters
Asked how he was feeling after the race, an excited McEvoy said: “I’m really good. Bloody good if you really want to know.
“She’s a really good filly and she always showed us a bit of talent,’’ he said of the filly after her second win from as many starts.
Xtravagant Star, winner of the R. Listed Inglis Millennium | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“We went to that race at Geelong pretty confident and she had a fight to win it and showed that she’s got speed and she was tough,’’ McEvoy said. “The ownership group were very comfortable to come to this race.
“We’re so excited. For her to come away, her first trip away from home, and the way she’s handled herself and accepted everything.... it’s magnificent. A big thrill.’’
There was a change of race tactics for the filly as the race unfolded, with jockey Chad Schofield taking charge for an ideal run back in the pack and a move to hit the front a long way out from home.
“We’re so excited. For her (Xtravagant Star) to come away, her first trip away from home, and the way she’s handled herself and accepted everything... it’s magnificent. A big thrill.’’ - Tony McEvoy
“She pinged the gate and Chad thought she would lead but he was a bit nervous that it was going to be too much pressure, so he just was very quiet,’’ said McEvoy.
“She didn’t really want to come back, she threw her head at one stage but then she accepted it. She’s a quality, quality filly.’’
Plans changed in the run
Schofield said the Melbourne filly’s run was very impressive for a horse which would usually lead but instead worked with him to get cover, take the rail, get to the front a long way out and prove to be strong to the line.
“I thought I might have to drop her in because there was a bit of speed on our inside,’’ he said. "But she was way too fast and I had a perfect run with cover throughout. Those horses that led gave me a sweet ride and I held the rail."
Chad Schofield | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“She travelled very well with the cover. I hit the front a long way from home so for a Melbourne filly, 2-years old, it was a good effort. She was strong to the line,’’ said Schofield.
Cox Plate-winning Schofield, 27, only left Hong Kong to return to Australia following December’s Hong Kong International Races.
“She (Xtravagant Star) travelled very well with the cover. I hit the front a long way from home so for a Melbourne filly, 2-years old, it was a good effort. She was strong to the line.’’ - Chad Schofield
Schofield and wife Hannah, are expecting a baby boy on Wednesday, and returned to Sydney to be close to family with Schofield working hard to establish himself again as a top rider in Australia.
“It’s nice to win a feature race like this and hopefully it can help me build momentum going forward,’’ he said.
Beautiful choices
Going forward is also on the mind of McEvoy for Xtravagant Star with either a run in the Blue Diamond S. or concentrating on the Golden Slipper there for his choosing.
“We’ve got some beautiful decisions to make and we can go to the Diamond in three weeks or we can just concentrate on the Slipper,’’ he said. “It’s a bit hard to do both, I think. I think we just enjoy today and make some decisions in a few days.
“We’ve got some beautiful decisions to make and we can go to the Diamond in three weeks or we can just concentrate on the Slipper.’’ - Tony McEvoy
The Newhaven Park breeders of Xtravagant Star, who sold her at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale to McEvoy Mitchell and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) for $150,000 have stuck with a proven formula which produced full brother, Listed Mitchell McKenzie S. winner He's Xceptional, with She's A Danica's latest foal also by their New Zealand sire, Xtravagant.
Xtravagant (NZ) | Standing at Newhaven Park
