Istriano impressive

Istriano made a winning debut with a tough performance at Swan Hill on Tuesday, October 28.

Sitting parked for much of the Jarrod Arentz Electrical & Solar Solutions 3YO Maiden (1200m), Istriano went stride-for-stride with the odds-on favourite up the home straight before grabbing a photo-finish victory.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy and ridden by John Allen, the gelding is owned by Seymour Bloodstock and is by the Japanese stallion Fierce Impact.

Istriano ($2.90) won by a head from Queen Christine ($1.65 fav) with Apache Sunrise ($7.50), a distant 5-1/2 lengths away third.

The gelding began well from barrier six in the field of seven and was caught three early before Allen elected to let him stride to the position outside the leader.

Turning into the home straight, the two leaders started to test each other and paired off for a virtual match race leaving the rest of the field in their wake and on the line Istriano got the verdict.

Tim Hanley, stable foreman for McEvoy Mitchell Racing said Istriano would improve with racing.

“He was a little green and will improve immensely,” Hanley said.

“I’m not sure whether he was getting a lit bit tired late or it was his immaturity once he got in front.

“It was great by Johnny (Allen), he was going to get stuck three deep but elected to go forward.

“It worked a treat, and he got the job done.”

Winning jockey John Allen said Istriano was a nice horse that would keep improving.

“I thought he was going to win a little easier, but he got a bit lost when he hit the front,” Allen said.

“At the furlong (200m) pole he baulked at something on the track and lost his action behind for a stride or two.

“It probably gave the runner-up the chance to come back at him.

“He has been impressing me in his two jump outs, getting back and running on.

“Today, I took the opportunity to move forward and give him the best chance to win. He adapted really well.

“There was more merit to the win than the small margin.”