Alectrona easily

Alectrona proved her quality with a dominant victory on Bendigo Cup day, Wednesday, November 1.

Despite being pressured during the early part of the BRB Electrical Maiden (1400m), Alectrona was able sprint clear of her rivals to score by 3-1/4 lengths.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, and ridden by Harry Coffey, the three-year-old filly was backed from $2.05 into $1.80 favourite and gave her supporters no cause for concern.

She made good use of gate one to lead clearly on settling but quickly found another runner alongside ensuring there was good tempo and no easy sectionals.

Alectrona maintained her advantage, then dashed away when asked for an effort in the home straight.

Victory Command ($4) tried hard but was no match for the winner with Lambay ($3.90), 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Trainer Tony McEvoy believes Alectrona can now tackle tougher company.

“I thought Harry (Coffey) did a really good job,” McEvoy said.

“He had a bit of pressure which we didn’t foresee on the speed map.

“He had a decision to make. He thought he was on the best horse, so he held the lead, and it was a really good decision and the horse that took him on dropped out.

“I thought Alectrona was very brave and did a good job.

“The exciting thing about fillies like this is that you don’t know what their ceiling is yet.

“We have Alectrona in a couple of black type races coming up, she is still in the Thousand Guineas, so we have some lovely options ahead.

“She was softened up a bit during the run and was really strong through the line so I don’t think a mile (1600m) will worry her.”

McEvoy explained a few of the options for Alectrona.

“There is a Springtime Stakes over 1400 (metres), a Listed event, there is the Twilight Glow for fillies, then there is the big one at the elite level.”

Winning jockey Harry Coffey backed the trainer’s opinion about Alectrona’s future.

“She looked really well placed today, presented beautifully in the yard and her run matched that,” Coffey said.

“It was a good effort by the McEvoy team.

“We wanted to just lead and take luck out of it, but it got a little bit tricky with one breathing down our neck most of the way.

“I was able to absorb that pressure and I was really pleased with the way she handled herself.

“A lot of time when horses breathe down another’s neck they can get fired up, but she stayed relax and in a rhythm and that is what allowed me to go on and win the race.

“Alectrona can probably step up in distance and grade, but I will leave that with the team.

“She has been running terrific and her runs leading up to today have been in pretty strong maidens so she will get good confidence from this and go home a happy filly.”