McEvoy’s winning part

Winning Partner loves racing around spring carnival time and proved it again at Moonee Valley on Friday, October 21.

Coming from last under a peach of a ride by Kerrin McEvoy, Winning Partner ran out a comfortable winner of the $175,000 Chandler Macleod VOBIS Gold Star Handicap (1500m).

It was the seven-year-old’s eighth win from just 41 starts and he has collected $675,275 in stakes.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, in 2020, Winning Partner took out the Balaklava and Murray Bridge Cups in South Australia in September and October.

A year later, he returned in September to win the Balaklava Cup again and also actually ran second in the race he won in 2022.

This year, the small field of seven, Kerrin McEvoy allowed Winning Partner to settle at the rear of the field.

Past the 500-metre mark he allowed the gelding to stride forward wide out.

Winning Partner ($11) gathered in his rivals and drew clear to win by 1-1/4 lengths from Regardsmaree ($5 eq fav) with Grandslam ($5 eq fav), a half-length away third.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said the gelding had deserved his win.

“He was as horror watch last time at Flemington,” McEvoy said.

Winning Partner finished seventh of 10 at Flemington on October 1 behind Visinari but he was only 1.75 lengths from the winner.

“Early on tonight I thought he might be in trouble getting a run again.

“Credit to Kerrin, he came wide and allowed the horse to get into a strong rhythm.

“Winning Partner has been an incredibly good horse for the stable and built up a good record.

“There is no doubt that he does love racing at this time of year.”