Moana the right spirit

A decision by trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy to send debut runner Moana Spirit to Adelaide proved to be perfect placement.

From an acceptance of six for the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap (1000m) at Morphettville Parks, only three runners eventually faced the starter.

Moana Spirit ($2.80 out to $4), ridden by Rochelle Milnes, settled last of the trio before coming to the outside turning for home, extending and racing past her rivals to win by two lengths from Czech Out ($14) with Inhabit ($1.90 into $1.26 fav), eight lengths away third.

Former McEvoy Mitchell foreperson and now a trainer in her own right, Sarah Rutten said Moana Spirit, owned by Yu Long Investments, was very professional despite making her race debut.

“She arrived on Friday morning and had a quiet day with us,” Rutten said.

“The McEvoy horses always present well and travel in great order.

“She ate up well and as everyone knows Tony & Calvin always present their two-year-olds very professionally.

“Tony said for Rochelle (Miles) to stalk the favourite (Inhabit, get a crack at it late and she rode it perfectly.

“On education and ability, Moana Spirit won the race nicely today.”

Winning jockey Rochelle Milnes said Moana Spirit had been impressive.

“It was an absolute privilege to wear the Yu Long colours,” Milnes said.

“She is a very nice horse, very professional.

“She handled today’s race with some class.

“Another horse wanted to race greenly and in a three-horse field you hope everything goes nice and smoothly.

“I had to take a bit of a check, come back and tack on.

“She has been beautifully prepared, was so professional and handled it all very well.

“It was my first winner for Tony & Calvin and hopefully there are a few more and I really appreciate their support.”