Goolagong Rose smashes rivals

Debut runner Goolagong Rose delivered match point to her rivals with an impressive victory at Gawler on Thursday, November 7.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Goolagong Rose ($1.95 into $1.65 fav) jumped brilliantly from gate one and dictated the tempo to win the G&J Civil Maiden (1100m).

Jockey Raquel Clark rated the filly perfectly before dashing her away to score by 3-1/2 lengths from Four Of A Kind ($7) with Kanzo ($21), 2-1/2 lengths away third.

John Cornell, South Australian stable foreman for the McEvoys, said the win had been an easy watch.

“The race went to script,” Cornell said.

“We have a good opinion of the filly and thought she would be too good today.

“She showed promise as a two-year-old, but we couldn’t get her to the track.

“She just had a few minor issues which kept cropping up. She is a big filly and I’m sure they were related to growing issues.

“This preparation, all has gone well, and she had two trials to have her ready for today.

“I believe she is definitely a Saturday quality galloper and will take great improvement from today’s win.”

Winning jockey Raquel Clark agreed.

“I have no doubt she is up to Saturday class,” Clark said.

“A few of them wanted to race us early but she had no trouble holding them out.

“She had a good kick when we straightened but then I felt she wanted to switch off.

“I gave her a few reminders and she went strongly to the line.”

Goolagong Rose was a $180,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing at the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale