Menzah the one

Improving Menzah One broke through for an impressive maiden win at bet365 Kilmore on Friday, February 21.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, the three-year-old has shown the benefit of racing and was given a beautiful ride by Beau Mertens to easily win the bet365 Odds Drift Protect Maiden (1600m).

Heavily backed as the $1.60 favourite, Menzah One scored by 1-3/4 lengths from She’s A Beauty ($5) with Shades Of Sherriff ($101), a half-length away third.

After jumping nicely, the gelding was able to settle one-off behind a group of three which were contesting the lead.

Mertens angled Menzah One into the open past the 400 metres and he quickly asserted his superiority and ran strongly through the line to win well.

Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell, said Menzah One was a definite improver and had more wins to come.

“He was very well balanced today,” Moore said.

“Beau (Mertens), from the inside draw, got a beautiful run just in behind them. Approaching the home turn he knew he was on the winner, from a long way out.

“It was a very strong win.

“Fantastic for John Guscic and his team at Aristia Park, they bred this son of Calyx.

“We actually have a half-brother by Portland Sky from the Inglis Premier Sale, so it was a timely win.

“I think we have a promising horse and in time he will get a bit of ground. He looks a horse that will get out to the 10 furlongs (2000m), but I don’t think we are in a rush though.

“It was a good win today and he can go on to better.

“It wasn’t the deepest of maidens, but he won with a lot of authority.”

Winning jockey Beau Mertens said Menzah One had impressed him with his power in the home straight.

“I had to bide my time before getting a bit of clear air,” Mertens said.

“It didn’t seem like he would be beaten once I straightened. He had a nice gallop through the line.

“There was a lot going on early so I tried to get him in a spot where I could get clear air, but I had to do a bit of work to do so.

“It was a bit messy early. We jumped well but had to hold our position with a lot of horses around us. In the end it worked out okay and I had a lovely run.

“Once I got him into the clear he quickened nicely around the turn and sustained a nice strong gallop through the line.

“There is plenty of improvement left in him.”