Arabella Star shines

A decision by trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy to send Arabella Star to Adelaide proved the correct move.

Arabella Star ($4.80) produced a powerful sprint in the home straight to win the Kingsford Hotel Handicap (1107m) at the Gawler metropolitan meeting.

It gave the trainers a two-state double as an hour earlier, Moana Spirit won the Geelong Diamond.

South Australia’s premier rider Rochelle Milnes allowed the three-year-old filly to balance up early before bringing her to the centre of the track in the home straight.

Arabella Star raced past the opposition to win by 3-1/4 lengths from Beachbarbeckons ($6.50) with Si Senora ($8.50), a head away third.

The win was a “hometown” win for Dani Chojnacki who lives at Reid, a suburb of Gawler. She is part of the Feisty Fillies syndicate which part-owns Arabella Star.

Trainer Tony McEvoy congratulated co-trainer Calvin McEvoy and Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell Racing for the victory.

“This was very pleasing to see,” McEvoy said.

“She raced beautifully and Rochelle gave her a lovely ride.

“She really joined in and was impressive.

“This was a magnificent piece of placement by our team, Calvin and Rayan.

“They found this race and after study were confident to go there.”

Winning jockey Rochelle Milnes said Arabella Star had been very impressive.

“She stepped away a touch slow and there was a bit of early speed,” Milnes said.

“I settled further back than I had planned but she relaxed really well in the run and that really helped.

“Once I could find my room and get out she really took me to the line.

“She was really pretty good today. I knew I was going to win as soon as we came around the bend.

“The McEvoys have been so good to me and their support is amazing.

“To get the job done today for them is very rewarding.”