Mr Verse lands big bonus

Astute placement by trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy, landed a huge bonus when Mr Verse scored a strong win at Seymour on Thursday, December 19.

Apart from the $20,625 first prize, Mr Verse collected a $100,000 Inglis sales bonus with his victory.

Having just his second start in a race, the three-year-old settled midfield on the fence in the Annabelle Cleeland Member For Euroa Maiden (1600m) before being asked to improve by jockey Beau Mertens, approaching the home turn.

The gelding moved up sharply then ran home strongly, and despite wanting to hang in, drew clear.

Mr Verse ($19) scored by 1-1/4 lengths from Watersports ($11) with Scintillante ($1.65 fav), a similar margin away third.

Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell Racing, said the win by Mr Verse had been fantastic.

“A great result for Marty Heran, the main owner and his partner Charley Nordell, they have been really good supporters of the stable,” Moore said.

“We actually met them at the Gold Coast in January this year, they have been good supporters and put a few horses into the stable.

“To get the $100,000 bonus today as an Inglis horse is fantastic.

“The heavy 10 didn’t really help on debut at Bendigo but he did quicken up with the fastest 400 metres to 200 metres, then probably emptied out on the heavy track.

“Today, he was well ridden by Beau (Mertens), tracked the second horse into the race and it was a really comprehensive victory.”

Trainer Tony McEvoy paid tribute to Moore and his son Calvin.

“With the $100,000 bonus, it was some really good planning by Calvin and Rayan,” McEvoy said.

“And I think there is a lot more upside and plenty to come.”

Mr Verse impressed winning jockey Beau Mertens.

“He had a lovely run in transit,” Mertens said.

“I got onto the back of Harry (Coffey), I thought he would take me into the race, and he did.

“Harry’s horse kicked really well, and my horse picked up really well and travelled into it as well.

“I knew I had him beat, it was just a matter of whether something was going to come off our backs.

“Fortunately, they couldn’t, it was a nice win.

“When I asked him in the home straight he sprinted well, got past the runner-up, wanted to lay in a little bit so there are a few kinks to iron out.

“That said, it was a dominant win, and he should improve a stack.”