Improving Bavicia stays on

The winning margin might have been small, but Warrnambool winner Bavicia looks to have bigger things ahead.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Bavicia is expected to measure up in black type company in either Adelaide or Brisbane in the autumn of 2023.

At Warrnambool, on Thursday December 8, the three-year-old colt, ridden by Dean Holland, scored a head win in the Ponting Brothers Mitre 10 Maiden (2000m).

Backed from $1.90 into $1.60 favourite, Bavicia wore down Assignment ($19) with third placegetter Jackand ($31), a distant six lengths away.

After a scrappy start, Holland was able to settle the colt into a perfect one-out, one-back position in the run.

Turning for home, Bavicia was asked to extend but the leader Assignment would not give in without a battle. However, the favourite did enough to grab victory.

Trainer Tony McEvoy said Bavicia was still learning his craft.

“I think this will turn out to be a good form race,” McEvoy said.

“We have a good opinion of our bloke, and the first two spaced the others.

“He is still maturing, and I will be surprised if he doesn’t run in better races in the autumn.”

Bavicia was purchased at a Ready To Run sale in New Zealand last year and McEvoy said the colt was bred to be a stayer.

“Owner Cliff Little, from Cairns, picked him out and with manager Shane Carroll they have shown excellent judgement.”

Winning jockey Dean Holland believes Bavicia has a good future.

“He is still learning about how to put fields away,” Holland said.

“I had a perfect run but waited as long as I could be asking for his final sprint.

“When he chased out after the leader I could feel him start to think about what to do.

“Credit to him, he was in for the battle and arrived in time.

“I’m sure he will be improved by the run and think he will develop into a nice horse with maturity.”