Meetmein Melbourne all the way

Talented filly Meetmein Melbourne scored her second win this preparation with a comprehensive victory on the Ballarat synthetic on Tuesday, July 18.

The success brought up a double for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy who book ended the program having won the opening race with Mount Olympus.

Meetmein Melbourne, backed from $4 to start $3.60 favourite, led throughout under jockey Harry Coffey to win the Hygain Winners Choice Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m).

From gate three, the filly bounced in front and was never in doubt eventually scoring by 2-1/4 lengths from Wok Star ($4.80) with Nevada Breeze ($9.50), three-quarters of a length away third.

Trainer Tony McEvoy was delighted with the easy front run for Meetmein Melbourne.

“Didn’t she have a soda up front?” McEvoy said.

“When she began so well Harry (Coffey) took it up and he got a cruisy lead.

“And the filly gave a tremendous kick, so it was a beautifully summed up ride by Harry.

“I think it has been suiting her here at home at Ballarat.

“She has got a bit of temperament, this girl, and travelling away has been a bit much for her.

“Having the advantage of just walking over the road has really helped.

“Sadly, she is no Sunlight but races in the Sunlight colours, and it makes me very warm in the heart when I see those colours.

“Eventually she will be able to travel when she matures a bit further, but for the present we will look to run here.”

Winning jockey Harry Coffey said Meetmein Melbourne had always been in control.

“We got really nice sectionals through the early and middle stages,” Coffey said.

“She jumped really well out of the gates, and we were able to use that draw.

“We got into a nice rhythm, then just built the tempo from the 600 (metres) onwards, and she was strong right through the line.

“I said to Tony before the race I would be keen to ride Meetmein Melbourne with cover, but the way it turned out, I landed in front and controlled and got the job done.”