Audio Pop Cam on song
A drop in grade enabled Audio Pop Cam to return to the winner’s list at Wangaratta on Monday, December 22.
The filly’s win in the A1 Tyrepower Wangaratta Benchmark 56 Handicap (1170m) brought up a double for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy who had won earlier with the impressive Maketime.
Audio Pop Cam ($3.70 fav) scored by a long neck from Turnaquid ($6.50) with Broadhurst ($15) a length away third.
Apprentice Ryan Houston had the three-year-old filly away nicely from gate seven and he was able to settle just behind the speed in the run to the home turn.
He pulled her wide and Audio Pop Cam dashed clear establishing a winning break. Although getting tired late, she had a good enough lead to score.
Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell Racing, said Audio Pop Cam would gain a lot of confidence from the victory.
“It was a very heady ride there by young Ryan (Houston),” Moore said.
“He got her out nicely, she pinged the lids today which she hasn’t been doing.
“He was able to slot in and let the early speed go. At the top of the straight I thought, how far?
“Maybe late she didn’t see that one coming up the inside, with the blinkers on for the first time.
“Maybe visors in the future but it was good to get her back in the winner’s list today for the Rosemont Group.
“Audio Pop Cam is named after Anthony’s (Mithen) grand daughters Audrey, Poppy and Camilla so hopefully the win will give them a bit of Christmas cheer.
“She was coming back in grade today after we tested her in town during the spring.
“Coming back to 56 grade on a Monday was definitely lowering the bar and it weas good to get her back into the winner’s list.”
Winning jockey Ryan Houston believes Audio Pop Cam can build on today’s win.
“This horse had been a bit slow out at her recent starts,” Houston said.
“Calvin (McEvoy) instructed me to be more positive today.
“We found a nice cart up today behind some nice horses.
“My bad, I probably could have finished off to the line a bit further, but I didn’t.
“I went a bit early and thought I might have got pipped on the line.
“Credit to the horse and it will give her a lot of confidence.
“She will improve off that, very happy.
“I thought the blinkers made her a lot sharper today. I couldn’t fault her.”