Intrepid Eagle swoops

Ultra-consistent Intrepid Eagle was rewarded with a victory at the Caulfield Heath on Wednesday, December 4.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy and ridden by apprentice Jaylah Kennedy, Intrepid Eagle covered ground throughout but was still good enough to score in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1200m).

A $3.40 chance, the five-year-old scored by a short neck from Street Elite ($15) with Social Conscience ($3.30 fav), three-quarters of a length away third.

Winning jockey Jaylah Kennedy was brutally honest declaring it was not one of her better rides.

“He is very honest, but that ride won’t go down in my top 10,” Kennedy said.

“But we got the job done.

“I think Intrepid Eagle appreciates these sort of tracks where he can really find his feet and get into a rhythm, although I didn’t give him any favours today.

“Keeping him fresh over these type of distances, he really excels.”

From barrier six in a field of eight, Kennedy found herself three and four wide early and at one stage when trying to get cover clipped heels and was lucky not to lose his winning chance.

The apprentice decided to allow Intrepid Eagle to balance up and get in a rhythm in the run to the home turn before asking him to stretch out for victory.

Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell Racing, said Intrepid Eagle had overcome trouble to win.

“When Jaylah was trying to look for cover, he clipped heels but with good judgement, she didn’t panic,” Moore said.

“It is a straight run from the 1200 metres to the home turn, she balanced him up and he was tough late.

“He had to do it the tough way, it was well deserved as he has been knocking on the door for a long time.

“His last two wins have been in 64 grade, and we are going to have to step up to 70 grade now, but this is the time of year for him to get another win under his belt.

“We will step at this remedy now, his last two wins have been at 1200 metres, at Moonee Valley and Caulfield Heath and that is where we are racing over the summer period, hopefully we can get another one on the board.”