Malletier very stylish

The success of trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy with the stock of stallion Nicconi continued at Wangaratta on Monday, December 23.

Malletier, a three-year-old son of Nicconi, having just his second start, led throughout for an easy win in the Your Everyday Gourmet Maiden (1000m), never being seriously challenged.

Backed from $2.30 into $1.85 favourite, and ridden by Billy Egan, the gelding jumped well from gate one and controlled the race before dashing away in the home straight to score by 1-3/4 lengths from Ringlet ($5), with Tuxedo Miss ($4.40), a distant six lengths away third.

Finn McCarthy, stable foreman for McEvoy Mitchell Racing, was impressed by the ease of Malletier’s win.

“I thought he was very nice and strong through the line,” McCarthy said.

“He is a very straight forward horse and does a lot right which helps him.

“He has just taken a bit of time to get going, and hopefully he can get the benefits of it now.

“It is early days yet, but he has always shown us a nice bit of ability and it is nice to get the maiden win ticked off.”

Winning jockey Billy Egan said Malletier had won easily.

“He was really good,” Egan said.

“He jumped really well from the gates, and I basically put my hands on his neck and just rated him.

“He found a nice cruising speed and was in a good rhythm.

“He tracked around the bend really nicely – he was a little new in front waiting for them.

“I applied a bit of pressure, not too much as he was winning quite easily.

“Taught him to stretch out well in the run to the line.

“The 1000 metres suited today but I think he will get out over further.”