Ambassadorial’s special win

Ambassadorial’s victory at Flemington on Saturday, February 28 was extra special for part-owner Ann Peacock.

Ms Peacock is a director of the Victoria Racing Club, and the five-year-old’s win was her first as an owner at Australia’s most famous racecourse.

Superbly ridden by Harry Coffey for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Ambassadorial ($3.40 fav) scored a half-length win in the 3AW Handicap (2000m) beating Foujita San ($31) with Xtra Rush ($5.50),1-3/4 lengths away third.

Coffey had the gelding one-out, one-back in running before taking him to the front on straightening and proving too strong.

Ann Peacock said the win was a wonderful occasion.

“My first win at Flemington,” Ms Peacock said.

“My sister Jane Chapple-Hyam who is in Dubai watching right now, congratulations Jane, we are so thrilled.

“To have a winner in any race, but at Flemington on Australian Guineas day, is such a thrill.

“Harry Coffey is an amazing jockey while Calvin and Tony McEvoy, we have huge thanks to them and their team.

“I am so excited and so happy.”

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said Ambassadorial had continued to improve since joining the stable.

“Proud of the horse, stepping through his grades beautifully,” McEvoy said.

“He is a very straight forward horse.

“He is lovely to train and easy to do things with.

“His week was pretty simple, he had a little piece of work on Tuesday, went to the beach on Wednesday, jumped over a few logs on Thursday and he has turned up here at Flemington with a smile on his face on Saturday.

“We are loving him, he is a real favourite of the stable and I loved how he stepped up in grade today.

“It is our first preparation with Ambassadorial, and we have been planning one race at a time, so we will sit down and have a thought about what we do now.”

Winning jockey Harry Coffey said he had been confident Ambassadorial would win a long way from the finish.

“Everything went to plan,” Coffey said.

“He got a lovely run and I cam out early to protect my ground.

“As soon as I did, the horse grabbed the bridle and rolled into it.

“It was a point and shoot job so made my job very easy when the McEvoy team present them at the races like this bloke.

“We are having a fun time with him at the moment.

“He is in superb form, he is enjoying just ticking along and having a good time.”