Bavette makes it a double
Trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy, jockey John Allen and owners Seymour Bloodstock celebrated a winning double when Bavette raced away to victory at Swan Hill on Tuesday, October 28.
First starter Istriano was the first winner for the group and Bavette made it a double taking out the Bottleo Swan Hill Xmas Races Sunday 23rd December Benchmark 62 Handicap (1300m).
Allen, who rode a total of four winners at the meeting, had the gelding racing behind the leaders early before bringing him wide in the home and the four-year-old raced away.
Bavette ($3.90) scored by 1-1/2 lengths from Solar Mist ($26) with Princess Toro ($3.60 fav), a long neck away third.
Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell said Bavette had won well and rewarded the patience of the ownership group.
“Capped a good day for Seymour Bloodstock which own Istriano and have a share in Bavette with a group of stable clients,” Moore said.
“We purchased the horse at an Inglis Easter sale, and he has just taken a while to grow into his body.
“He won his maiden on debut at Kilmore then went for a break.
“He had no luck when resuming at Swan Hill on September 28 and made amends today.
“It was an excellent ride by Johnny (Allen) who had him in a good spot early before coming with a well-timed run.
“Bavette is a horse we believe can go through the grades.”
Winning jockey John Allen said he had been confident of a Bavette win for much of the race.
“It was pretty straight forward,” Allen said.
“He began okay but I gave him a bit of squeeze to find a spot.
“I didn’t want to get too far back around the way the track had been playing today.
“The right horses landed in front of us, so we were able to get a good cart off them.
“I thought I had them covered turning in but I did not want to expose him too early.
“We got to the outside and steadily built up and got past the leaders easily enough.
“He had a little bit of a wander when he hit the front, but we were always doing enough.”