Masterful Madison

A masterful front running rode by Madison Lloyd on Race Against Time resulted in a victory at Horsham on Sunday, October 16.

Lloyd took the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained four-year-old to the front in the Priceline Pharmacy Horsham Benchmark 58 Handicap (1800m) and rated him perfectly to win well.

A $7 chance, Race Against Time scored by 1-1/2 lengths from Doctor Timor ($15) with Fiorente Spritz ($3.50) a short head away third.

Rivals tried to make a race of it around the home turn, but Lloyd had made sure there was something in reserve and Race Against Time staved off the challenges to win comfortably.

Lloyd has a good record on the gelding with two wins and a second from just three rides.

Trainer Tony McEvoy is hoping the stable has finally got Race Against Time back on an upward spiral.

“He has found his form,” McEvoy said.

“He lost his way and went into the wilderness for some time.

“I think the gear I had on him was giving him some anxiety, and it took us a while to work it out.

“I’ve taken all that gear off him now and he’s a much happier horse.

“It was a magnificent ride by Madison, she really took charge of that race and gave them no chance., it was a fabulous ride.”

McEvoy said he was a difficult horse to train.

“He’s never easy, he is always in a rush and quite rude. He doesn’t have any respect for your space, it is just all about him.

“If he keeps winning, we will put up with him.”

McEvoy said he and Calvin would continue to place Race Against Time as well as they could.

Winning jockey Madison Lloyd said she enjoyed riding the horse.

“I’m grateful that I have been able to stick with him since picking him up at Warracknabeal.

“Last time he was super but just got tired the last 400 metres.

“Back to 1800 metres today suited him to a tee.

“He is actually beautiful once you are on his back, but he is a massive character.

“I’ve never met a horse like him, he is just a kid on the ground but once you are on his back, he is a lovely horse to ride.

“He is a bit different – he likes to stick his tongue out and plays around, he is literally just a kid.”