Coco Sun shines on debut
Debutante Coco Sun shone brightly at Geelong on Friday, June 30.
Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Coco Sun, despite covering ground, proved too strong in the J. T. Dixon Maiden Two-Year-Old (1347m).
Solid in the market after good trial form, the filly, by stallion The Autumn Sun, was caught wide from gate seven in the field of eight.
Jockey Harry Coffey settled her three wide with a trail early before asking the filly to improve just before the home turn.
Coco Sun ($3.40) moved up to the leaders and had a battle with Itza Motza ($2.35 fav) but did enough to win by a neck.
Dulcet ($5.50) was 1-1/2 lengths away third.
Trainer Calvin McEvoy said while Coco Sun had trialled well on a wet track at Donald, he was a touch apprehensive about the Geelong heavy 8 surface.
“I had a lot of confidence in the filly’s ability,” McEvoy said.
“We took today’s heavy conditions on trust.
“She is a lovely filly, and I am glad she got the job done today.
“Harry (Coffey) trialled her at Donald and was keen to stick with her.
“Well done to Terry Jarvis, over in New Zealand, he owns the filly, 100 percent, he’s been a good supporter of our stable.
“Well done also to Damon Gabbedy, he selected her, I think she has a really bright future.
“She is a great type. We have to work out whether we back off or head to a stakes race in Adelaide over 1400 metres in a fortnight.
“I don’t think she had a lot of luck from the gate today, didn’t quite get cover, but let down well and I’m sure she will take good improvement from the run.”
Winning jockey Harry Coffey said he was pleased he had made the right decision.
“I could have ridden at Warracknabeal today which is closer to home but I did trial this girl at Donald the other day and I really like her,” Coffey said.
“She quickened up pretty good on what was wet ground, so it is the right time of year for her to be in.
“Today, when she had to respond under my riding, her wheels did spin a little bit.
“She is a nice filly who was well placed, and well prepared, and I was lucky enough to be able to get on her.
“She has always done things with a lot of ease according to Cal (McEvoy), I just reckon today when she got in a bit of a fight, she didn’t know what to do.
“I always thought we had the edge over the second horse, we did get into a bit of a battle, but my horse was the better one on the day.
“She will improve a lot off that, having had a tough run where she had to learn to fight, and will definitely benefit.”
“Today, she sustained a good solid gallop from around the 700-metre mark onwards. She is a nice filly.”