Been Our Angel salutes

Perseverance paid off when the talented Been Our Angel broke through at Swan Hill on Sunday, November 23.

The four-year-old gelding, trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, made his race debut in July last year and while running well took 16 months and four runs to finally break through.

Sent out the $1.95 favourite, Been Our Angel, ridden by Harry Coffey, scored a half-length win in the Jarrod Arentz Electrical & Solar Solutions Maiden (975m).

Blondie’s Toronado ($21) battled on well to finish second with Redemption Time ($3.60), 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Been Our Angel jumped a touch slowly, but Coffey gave him time to balance up behind a hectic tempo sent by five of his rivals.

The gelding improved from his midfield position to be challenging behind the leaders turning for home before being asked to go for the finish.

Been Our Angel asserted superiority past the 300-metre mark but had to been hard ridden to maintain his advantage with the runner-up giving him a tussle.

Trainer Tony McEvoy said the win by Been Our Angel had not gone completely to plan.

“He did a good job today,” McEvoy said.

“The conditions changed on us through the morning, and he handled them well.

“Been Our Angel was good in the gates but didn’t jump that cleanly. It ended up okay as they went hard, and he had a good run.

“Running horses first up on rain affected ground can make them vulnerable but he did the job okay.

“He did get a bit tired late, but it was good to break the maiden and hopefully he can go on with it.”

Winning jockey Harry Coffey said Been Our Angel had put up a great effort to win.

“The track was probably wetter than what is was reading,” Coffey said.

“It felt like a soft seven, but he got through it well. Once he got to the front he looked around and got a bit lost.

“His behaviour was good today and things went smoothly.

“The 975-metre race tempo was too fast for him, and I got further back than normal.

“He quickened up good, and as I said, when he got to the front got a bit lost.

“Winning will do him the world of good and hopefully he gains some confidence.”