Centennial Park too strong
Promising three-year-old Centennial Park, despite still appearing inexperienced, stepped up to city class on Boxing Day, Thursday, December 26 on the Caulfield Health circuit.
The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained three-year-old, ridden by Jamie Mott, proved too strong for his rivals in the Allan Wicks Handicap (1600m).
Well backed at $2.40, Centennial Park scored a short neck win from Sigiriya Rock ($3.60) with Colour Our World ($3.60) a head away third in a smart time of 1:36.62.
The gelding, owned by Ron and Judy Wanless, settled fifth in the running line with a perfect trail before the pressure went on with the third placegetter making a strong run approaching the home turn.
Mott didn’t let himself get boxed in and came out with the result the three placegetters were side by side turning for home to determine which would be the strongest.
Centennial Park took a narrow advantage, but the other pair were in for a fight. Colour Our World, three wide, started to lug in under pressure, and it was this action which saw the winner respond to Mott’s hands and heels riding and push through to grab a winning margin.
Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell Racing, suggested Centennial Park might be a perfect selection for a trip back to New Zealand.
“He is Kiwi bred,” Moore said, “and there is a Kiwi race in March.
“If there are any slot holders out there, give us a ring and get on. It is a perfect time to showcase, he has a perfect platform through the summer months and 1500 metres is probably his perfect distance at the moment.”
Moore was happy to praise the winning ride.
“It was J Mott at his absolute best.
“He lifted him when Linda’s horse (Colour Our World) laid in on him in the concluding stages and it really urged him along.
“Jamie was very vigorous, and this horse is now putting a good record together.
“You can put Centennial Park anywhere. We wanted to be a pair forward today, but Jamie took his medicine. He was very relaxed and the way he went through the line 1600 metres might not hold him up and he could get a bit further.”
Winning jockey Jamie Mott is impressed by Centennial Park and believes he has much improvement.
“He is still very young and on the way up,” Mott said.
“I liked the progression he made from his debut to his first win, still again today he has made a bit of progression.
“But there is still so much more to come with him, he is a big baby. So much so, going to the barriers and coming back he was running into the fence, just being a big dumbo.
“He has got a great motor on him, a lot to learn, but he was able to improve sharply when they came up to me approaching the corner and he was really in for the fight.
“My horse was strongest late, and any further he would have pulled away.
“He has got nice ability under the bonnet, once he puts together he is going to be a really nice horse.
“He is a long way from the furnished project.”