Mr Verse on song

Anyone who doubted the talent of Mr Verse would have strongly revised their opinion after the Quayclean Handicap (1600m) at the Sportsbet Sandown Hillside meeting on Wednesday, August 27.

The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained four-year-old gave the leaders a giant start with 400 metres to travel but flashed home to grab a long neck victory.

Mr Verse ($3.40 fav), ridden by apprentice Logan Bates who claimed 2kg, cut down the leader Butternut Princess ($4.40) to score with third-placed Rich Champagne ($151), two lengths away.

It brought up an unusual double for the trainers as their only other runner on the day, Prestar, won earlier on the Kensington track in Sydney.

Mr Verse settled well back in the field of 11 and was third last and coming wide turning for home.

The gelding let down powerfully to grab victory in the shadows of the post.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said Mr Verse had been very impressive.

“He is a lovely horse,” McEvoy said.

“I have got to thank Marty Heran and the owners who have allowed us to develop this horse.

“He had a green brain early on and wanted to do things wrong. He is not the finished product yet but is going along the right way.

“A very cool, calm and collected ride from Logan (Bates) to have the confidence to come out wide on a day when not many were.

“Mr Verse has got a lot of class to carry the big weight, settle back and still get the job done.

“Congratulations to our foreman Finn McCarthy, Mr Verse is the first horse to come out of our new Flemington stables which have been up and running for a couple of weeks.

“Hopefully, this horse can continue on during the spring. Onwards and upwards.”

Winning jockey Logan Bates said Mr Verse had finished powerfully.

“Ideally I would have liked to be a few pairs closer,” Bates said.

“He jumped quite well today but they went along at a strong tempo and stretched the field out. If I kept pressing him it would have taken him out of his comfort zone.

“Being such a laid-back character he settled nicely in the first part of the race and was then able to make a long sustained run.

“Even though I was a long way off them I was confident he would round them up.

“He is a smart horse going forward.

“He has got a lovely big action, and I didn’t want to get him cluttered up to allow him to use that finish that he has.

“I would like to thank the McEvoy team for giving me the opportunity to ride this horse.”