Meehni’s last to first win
Four-year-old mare Meehni resumed on the Ballarat Synthetic with a last to first win on Tuesday, July 13.
Ridden by apprentice Josh Richards, Meehni, trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, dashed away to win the Hygain Winners Choice Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m).
Starting at $3.40, the daughter of Sebring, scored by 1-3/4 lengths from Coronel ($20) with Rebellious Lord ($3.10 fav), 2-1/4 lengths away third.
Richards, who claimed 2kg, allowed Meehni to find her rhythm early, settling in the last pair in the field of 10.
Past the 700-metre mark, he allowed the mare to slide forward to be second turning for home.
In the home straight, Meehni accelerated and gathered in the leader to win comfortably.
Trainer Calvin McEvoy was impressed by the victory.
“She has come back in really good order this preparation,” McEvoy said.
“She has been working really sharp which has surprised us a bit because she got out to 2100 metres last preparation.
“Her only win before today was fresh at 1400 (metres).
“Meehni had a couple of jump outs here on the poly, and it worked out this was a beautiful race with the claim.
“We might be learning a bit about her, she might be a fresh 1400-1600 metre horse, but it was a big performance.
“I thought she might have a bit more toe than that, but she got back.
“Josh rode her beautiful and patiently, and made a long run coming around them so she will sleep well tonight.
“We’ll give her an easy couple of weeks and decide whether we stay at the 7 (1400m) or go up to a mile (1600m), but she is in for a good prep.
“She’s a big athletic mare and we are just unlocking the key to her now.”
Winning jockey Josh Richards said Meehni had won quite easily.
“They presented her really well today and they said her work had been great,” Richards said.
“She obviously will get over further ground but resuming here today she was nice and fresh.
“She was nice and fresh and handled it quite easily.
“They weren’t too sharp for her, she settled lovely and worked into it really nicely.
“The McEvoys have been giving me great support and it was nice to get a win for them.”