Marina Di Campo easily

Front-running Marina Di Campo again proved too quick her rivals, this time at Ararat on Thursday, March 27.

The three-year-old filly, trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, scored her maiden win over 1400 metres at Ballarat on March 7, and today repeated the effort over 1600 metres at Ararat in the Harvey Norman Ararat Handicap (1606m).

The victory gave the trainers a third win in as many days following wins by Dillinger (Ballarat) and No Fuss (Sandown-Hillside).

Backed from $1.85 into $1.40 favourite, Marina Di Campo, ridden by Linda Meech, found the front and controlled the tempo to win by 1-1/2 lengths from Sinister Sauce ($4.80) with Diamond War ($8), 3-1/2 lengths away third.

Meech gave a perfect front running ride, setting a comfortable early tempo before increasing about 500 metres from home then dashing over the final 250 metres for an easy win.

McEvoy Mitchell stable foreman Tim Hanley said the trainers had made a correct choice for Marina Di Campo.

“We had her in at Sandown yesterday, but the boys decided to go the easier option here today,” Hanley said.

“It was a perfect race for her with not a lot of speed on paper.

“They put a bit of pressure on her early, but Linda (Meech) got the front easily and rated her beautifully.

“She has taken a lot of time to develop as she is a big-framed filly. It has been a bit surprising how she has come on so promising and quickly.

“The boys now might consider a stakes race in Adelaide for her because adding black type to her pedigree would sharply increase her value.”

Winning jockey Linda Meech said Marina Di Campo had won easily.

“We thought she would lead and do it quite easily,” Meech said.

“She is a strong filly and can run quite good sectionals. She doesn’t feel like she has got a turn of foot, rather just keeps rolling along.

“The filly did it well today and pulled up good in the wind.

“I’m sure Tony & Calvin will find the right race for her as she goes through the grades.”