Nabbed grabs victory
Superbly bred mare Nabbed grabbed her second win with a tough effort at Kilmore on Tuesday, February 7.
Despite going off balance coming down the hill in the run to the home turn, Nabbed responded to score in the MC Security Benchmark 58 Handicap (1607m).
Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, and ridden by Dean Holland, the four-year-old mare, backed from $3.90 to start $2.80 favourite, won by a half-length from Equine Philosopher ($8.50) with Cailloux ($4), a long head away third.
From a middle draw, Holland was able to position Nabbed one-one, one-back, on settling down.
However, coming to the home turn, the daughter of Written Tycoon looked awkward in her action but once in the home straight responded to Holland’s riding to draw clear.
Trainer Tony McEvoy believes Nabbed can measure up in city company.
“I was confident of a win today,” McEvoy said.
“She has been a bit luckless, this mare and her work at home says she is up to metro standard.
“To this point we haven’t even looked likely getting to that standard.
“In this grade, with a bit of a freshen up, she presented beautifully and it looked a lovely race for her.
“Her dam was a Group 1 winner and could run a mile (1600m) so we have finally got her to the distance that she likes.
“Hopefully she can string a few together now.”
McEvoy said he didn’t believe Nabbed had been completely comfortable around the Kilmore track.
“Dean (Holland) gave her a beautiful ride, he got her into the one-one from an awkward gate.
“But I thought she just struggled down the hill which a lot of horses do, but he kept at her and kept her balanced.
“Once she straightened up, she hit the line very well.”
McEvoy was full of praise for winning jockey Dean Holland.
“Dean is in fabulous form, gee, he has been riding my horses well.
“A big thanks goes out to him.”
Winning jockey Dean Holland confirmed Nabbed had not been completely comfortable coming down the hill.
“Nabbed was in perfect order for today,” Holland said.
“It looked a suitable race.
“She drew a sticky barrier, but the map looked pretty good around us.
“She enjoyed a really nice run and deserved to win.
“She didn’t get down the hill all that well, sort of crabbed from the 600 (metres), got on the wrong leg and wanted to run away.
“She actually didn’t balance up to the last 200 (metres).
“It is not easy for them to lose balance, then regain it in the straight like that so it was a really good effort.”
Holland confirmed he thought Nabbed was up to city class.
“She has got a bit of confidence from today and her works has been really good at home, I think she will go on with it now.”