Carat on the move

Steel Move landed another feature in the $175,000 Drummond Golf VOBIS Gold Carat (1200m) at Southside Cranbourne on Saturday, December 27.

Two starts back, Steel Move took out the VG Stockade (1200m) at Ballarat for owner Godolphin and trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy and today added the Gold Carat.

Jockey Harry Coffey rode a perfect race to land the four-year-old gelding, a $4.80 chance, a three-quarter length winner from another Godolphin-owned galloper Chergui ($12) with Harry’s Yacht ($2 fav) a half-length away third.

Coffey had Steel Move away beautifully from gate one and settled third on the fence in the run to the home turn.

In the straight he rode hands and heels before securing a clear run at the 200 metres and the gelding again demonstrated excellent acceleration to grab the win.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said the McEvoy Mitchell Racing staff had done a wonderful job with Steel Move.

“He has been up for a long time,” McEvoy said.

“Today was his eighth run for us.

“When he came to us he was still a green horse but had given the hope he would go through his grades.

“His first few runs for us were disappointing and he had us a bit confused as he was working very well at home but wasn’t producing race days.

“I think he is working it all out now, with the seven day back up today, I loved the way he raced and put himself in a good spot.

“It was a beautiful ride from Harry (Coffey) and nice to watch.

“He is a fit horse, holding himself together very well and loving his training.

“We will talk with the Godolphin team before deciding where to go with Steel Move.”

Winning jockey Harry Coffey said Steel Move had a perfect run and won impressively.

“It just all went to plan,” Coffey said.

“It is amazing how good barriers can make horses perform to their best.

“Unfortunately, Steel Move didn’t get a good gate last week at the Heath and had to drift back whereas his last two wins at Ballarat and today, he has got good gates and had good runs.

“He is in a rich vein of form. Today, he jumped really well, and Tony & Calvin were extremely keen for me to be positive on him without revving him up too much.

“We were able to hold the box seat and get into a good rhythm and that allowed him to have a powerful finish at the end.

“I thought I was going to win hands and heels without the whip, but the leader kicked on so I gave him a couple of back handers, and it made him surge and find that little bit extra.

“He ended up winning with a little bit in hand. I think it suits him being stuck away and getting out late to use his powerful turn of foot.”