Eagle swoops to strike
A drop in grade saw talented three-year-old Strike Eagle break through on the Ballarat Synthetic on Tuesday, August 24.
Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Strike Eagle raced away for a 1-1/2 length win of the Cervus Equipment Maiden (1200m).
Sent out a well backed $2.40 favourite, the gelding, ridden by Luke Currie, defeated Dalsupa ($17) with Mt Buller ($7.50), 1-3/4 lengths away third.
Currie had Strike Eagle away nicely and sat second outside the leader in the run to the home turn.
On straightening, he asked the gelding to sprint and the three-year-old quickly put a winning break on the opposition.
For trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy it was their eighth winner on the Ballarat Synthetic for the month.
Horses from the stable have a winning strike rate of 30% from their past 50 runners.
Tony McEvoy admitted the stable were loving the establishment of a Ballarat base.
“We really are enjoying the poly here,” McEvoy said.
“We walk over the road, and they work on it most days – it’s a real advantage.
“I am delighted with the way my team is presenting the horses and they are running really well.”
McEvoy said he liked Strike Eagle as a progressive horse.
“I’ve been a bit aggressive placing him because I think a lot of him.
“But he wasn’t quite up to doing what I was asking of him.
“That would be a real good confidence booster today.
“He’s been in work a long time, so we will see how he does.
“I think the horse will get better next time, he’s a gorgeous horse, and I think there are more wins in store.”
Winning jockey Luke Currie was always confident on Strike Eagle.
“He’s a lovely style of horse,” Currie said.
“Even with all those runs (five) under his belt he is still learning what he is doing.
“Back in trip and winkers off today, it looked a real good race for him.
“We had one that went out and led up giving him a bunny (to chase).
“He took a little while to get up to it but then went past it quite easily.”