Another Cup for Ussuri
Gallant grey Sign Of Ussuri added a second Cup to his collection at Coleraine on Friday, September 23.
A winner of the Gawler Cup last year, Sign of Ussuri added the 2022 Coleraine Cup (1800m) to his trophy cabinet with a strong effort.
Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, and ridden by apprentice Madison Lloyd, the six-year-old came from second last to grab victory.
Sent out at $3.60, Sign Of Ussuri scored by a long neck from another grey, Sir Simon ($5.50) with Adelaide Ace ($3 fav), a length away third.
The gelding jumped slowly but Lloyd let him balance up early before asking him to improve from the 800 metres.
Sign Of Ussuri rounded up the leaders to be in a striking position turning for home.
Once in the straight, he took out after the leader Sir Simon, but wanted to hang in and Lloyd had to ride on one rein.
Sign Of Ussuri was still too good and grabbed the lead close to home.
The winner has built up a good record with six wins and 10 placings from just 28 starts.
Finn McCarthy, stable foreman for the McEvoys, said Lloyd had ridden Sign Of Ussuri perfectly.
“It was great to get the win with this fellow,” McCarthy said.
“Maddie (Lloyd) gave him a terrific ride.
“She played it nice and cool out behind then just came late.
“He’s a horse you can’t get to the front too early with. He wandered around in the straight a little bit but fortunately got his head in front at the finish.
“He would not have wanted it any wetter than the soft 5 but handled it perfectly.”
McCarthy said Tony & Calvin would see how he recovered before planning his next run.
Winning jockey Madison Lloyd said showed owed a vote of thanks to fellow jockey Dean Holland.
“Sign Of Ussuri wanted to look around in the home straight,” Lloyd said.
“I was talking to Dean Holland today when he was riding a bit of work with us, and he said you could not be worse than two lengths off the leaders turning for home.
“So, I got moving early today.
“He was travelling so beautiful, he had plenty left. He’s a big kid and wanted to lay around but I knew I still had plenty there.
“I can’t thank Tony & Calvin enough for putting me on him today, they are really supporting me.”