Arabian Summer explosive
Outstanding sprinter Arabian Summer resumed with a breath-taking victory at the Gold Coast on Friday, December 20.
Arabian Summer dashed away from her rivals to score an effortless three length victory in the TAB GC1000 3YO Plate (1000m).
It was a wonderful win by the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained filly and a perfect lead up for her goal of the $3 million The Sunlight (1100m) to be run at the Gold Coast on Saturday, January 4.
The Sunlight is a slot race and Arabian Summer will represent the Wheaton and RMA Bloodstock slot.
Ridden by Harry Coffey on Friday, Arabian Summer ($2.50 into $2 fav), jumped well and settled on the fence behind the group of three which were vying for the front.
Turning for home, Coffey angled her off the rails and was able to take a run between the leaders and she exploded away.
Arabian Summer defeated Cosmic Fire ($9) with Petticoat ($13), a length away third.
Winning jockey Harry Coffey said Arabian Summer had returned in devastating form.
“When they travel like she does and are better than their opposition, they make your job very easy,” Coffey said.
“That was a great win.
“She was okay in the barrier, a bit anxious wanting to get on with it but we kept her nice and calm with a barrier attendant.
“She broke well and from a good gate I was able to get a lovely run.
“The leaders carted me a fair way into the race, and she switched off nicely off a fast tempo.
“A gap opened around the home turn, and gee, she showed a great turn of foot, and the race was over.”
Trainer Tony McEvoy said Arabian Summer had returned exactly as they had hoped.
“What a fantastic return by this filly,” McEvoy said.
That was very exciting. It was lovely to see her back. We went to Adelaide and had a mishap at the barriers, which was very frustrating.
“Tonight, she got a beautiful run from a perfect gate.
“She extended away and showed her class against that group of horses.
“To have her back now in that form a couple of weeks out from her grand final was lovely.
“She’s got her feistiness about her, but she handled herself beautifully. She loves it up here on the coast, and Toby Edmonds and his team have done a fantastic job looking after her.”
Bred by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Arabian Summer was a $220,000 purchase from the Coolmore Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for her trainers and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA).