Love ‘N’ Peace at the finish
Love ‘N’ Peace indicated he might be a middle-distance performer with potential following his last stride win at Port Lincoln in the Business Accounting Services Benchmark 62 (1750m) on Friday March 6.
The three-year-old brought up a Port Lincoln Cup day double for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy following the victory by Diplomatic Measure early in the day.
A well backed $1.80 favourite, despite racing against older horses, Love ‘N’ Peace left it late for jockey Todd Pannell but arrived to win by a head from Eye The World ($101) with Which Kid ($7.50), 1-3/4 lengths away third.
Pannell had the gelding midfield in the run, but several runners went past him coming off the back straight.
This meant Love ‘N’ Peace was the widest runner on the home and it took a little which for Pannell to get him a rhythm but when he did the gelding let down to win well.
“He’s a talented young horse,” McEvoy said.
“He is still quite immature and I’m not going to rush him.
“In fact, I might even send him a break to let him further develop.
“I believe he has the ability to measure up in stronger races.
“It was not ideal when he had to be reshod at the start, but the farrier did a great job.
“He looked like he struggled a bit coming around the bend.
“But Toddy Pannell, what a star rider.
“Beautiful balance and he steadied him up into a rhythm and the horse really hit the line strong.
“I was lovely to come across to Port Lincoln, support their big meeting and come away with a couple of winners.”