Lights shines again
Talented mare Sea Of Lights bounced back into the winning list with an authoritative victory on the Ballarat Synthetic on Friday, August 2.
After an impressive eight-length maiden win at Seymour on July 2, the mare found the heavy nine track conditions not to her liking when fourth at the Sandown Lakeside on July 17.
Trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy selected today’s Sportsbet Race Replays Benchmark 58 Handicap (1500m) as the perfect event to allow her to get back into winning form.
Ridden by John Allen, Sea Of Lights ($1.75 into $1.50 fav) raced wide midfield early before taking the lead in the home straight and running strongly through the line to win by 1-1/4 lengths from Jordy Girl ($17) with Radstar ($12) a length away third.
Trainer Tony McEvoy said he would now look for a 2000 metre race for Sea Of Lights.
“I have always thought she was a metropolitan performer,” McEvoy said.
“We took her Queensland early in the year for a Magic Millions race but she didn’t get a start, so we ran her in the rich maiden.
“She drew the outside gate in a big field, so it was a disaster, but it helped with her maturity.
“The heavy track was against her at Sandown, but she was better today on the synthetic.
“Johnny (Allen) rode her like the best horse in the race, kept her out of trouble, and she won really well.
“I’m sure she will handle 2000 metres, and even 2400 (metres).
Sea Of Lights is part-owned by top bloodstock agent Damon Gabbedy, who missed the win as he is in Japan.
Also in the ownership group is longtime McEvoy client Ian Davies, who ran the popular drinking establishment Ian’s Western Hotel in Port Augusta in South Australia.
John Allen said Sea Of Lights was a promising middle-distance mare.
“She ran well,” Allen said.
“It panned out okay. There was good pressure early and we were able to get across to a nice spot in the one-one.
“They went a better gallop today, so we got into a better rhythm.
“She loomed up, didn’t sprint that well in the ground, but she picked up enough to put them away.
“She is not a big filly, but it was a good enough effort.”