Hat-trick for Aqueduct

Aqueduct brought up a hat-trick of wins with a strong performance on the Pakenham Synthetic on Monday, July 28.

After a maiden win on the Ballarat synthetic, the three-year-old stepped up to Benchmark 64 company on the same track, then today won in the same grade but against tougher opposition.

Starting at the good odds of $8.50, Aqueduct was well ridden by apprentice Luke Cartwright to score a three-quarter length win in the Fruithaul Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) beating Bons To Riches ($5.50) with King Tut ($4.20) a head away third.

The win brought up a double for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy who had won earlier with Audio Pop Cam.

Cartwright had Aqueduct away well from gate five and was able to settle on the fence behind the leader in the early stages.

He asked the gelding to accelerate in the home straight and railed through to secure victory.

Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell, said Aqueduct deserved praise for his winning streak.

“It is not easy to win three in a row, he has done a fantastic job,” Moore said.

“We bought him back off the Inglis Digital sale, and we’ve now had two winners in two days from those sales.

“It is something we have been looking at regularly to get horses into the stable that are ready to go and owners into the stable who are looking to have a good experience.

“Some owners opted to drop out of Aqueduct, and we were able to get a lot of Ballarat locals into the horse and to win three in a row is as really good feat.

“Tony and Calvin have always had faith in this young horse, and we think there is plenty of upside going forward.”

Winning jockey Luke Cartwright said Aqueduct was all heart.

“The McEvoys wanted me to come out and get some cover behind the speed then come out to the middle of the track,” Cartwright said.

“But when I got shuffled down to the fence and into the box seat I had to be patient and bide my time.

“There was a run up the fence, and it worked out perfect.

“I think the biggest thing with this horse is that he has got heart.

“He tried very hard today, he let rip up the home straight and just kept trying. – I think it will take him a long way in his racing career.”