Lights shines brightly
Trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy made the right decision taking promising filly Sea Of Lights to Seymour on Tuesday, July 2.
The filly overcame a mid-race traffic jam to run out a very comfortable winner of the GD & SL O’Sullivan Builders Maiden (1600m).
Sea Of Lights was also an acceptor for the Sandown Hillside meeting tomorrow but the trainers opted to head to Seymour.
Backed from $1.80 to $1.60 favourite, the three-year-old filly gapped her rivals over the final 200 metres to win by eight lengths from Fast Freeze ($6) with Los Alamoss ($15), three-quarters of a length away third.
After beginning well, jockey John Allen allowed her to balance up and Sea Of Lights drifted back to midfield on the fence.
As runners started to improve from the back with 600 metres to travel, Allen allowed the filly to come wide and she obtained a clear run between runners on the home turn.
Asked to extend, she exploded away and won eased down over the final 50 metres.
Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell, said Sea Of Lights had put up an excellent performance.
“At the 600-metre mark I was probably lining up for the car,” Moore said.
“It was a little bit of a tricky spot but to Johnny’s (Allen) credit he knew what he had under him, and it was a patient ride.
“The seas parted and that was as strong as you want to see them on the line.
“She will get 2000 metres, no problem.
“I like the way Sea Of Lights is handling the training regime.
“She is a big strong girl, plenty of substance about her.
“The stock of her sire Pride Of Dubai gets better with age and we look forward to getting her out over more ground.
“She is a pleasure to have around the stables and is rewarding the ownership group for their patience.”
Winning jockey John Allen was impressed by Sea Of Lights.
“She began well, but can over race a little bit,” Allen said.
“I was happy to take a sit, three back the fence.
“She was a little keen to run but was always travelling well.
“Once she got a bit of space she won pretty easily.
“She had been racing well, probably in better company.
“Tony thought she had an improved a lot from her first run this preparation.
“She had the form on the board, but it was still a very impressive performance.”