New Level impressive on debut

First-starter New Level looked impressive in a winning debut at Terang on Monday, January 2.

Starting the $3.80 favourite, the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained colt drew clear to score a half-length win in the bet365 Top Tote Plus Three-Year-Old Maiden (1200m).

Ridden by Declan Bates, New Level defeated Beatification ($9.50) with Tequila ‘n’ Sunrise ($7.50), 2-1/4 lengths away third.

The three-year-old, owned by Ron and Judy Wanless, jumped well and Bates was able to settle him third on the fence in the run to the home turn.

The field became tight as the field straightened and New Level was held up early in the home straight.

Once in the clear, the colt lengthened beautifully to run strongly to the line and win nicely.

Trainer Tony McEvoy said it had been a good win.

“He is a nice horse, this fellow,” McEvoy said.

“He has shown us some nice talent as a mile (1600m), maybe 2000 metre horse.

“He did a good job today as a colt with all the kerfuffle that went on pre-race, but he kept his bottle, so it was pretty good.

“I think he is a metro grade horse, I really do.

“It will all depend on how far he runs., if he can run 2000 with the speed he has got, he is a nice horse.

“Declan (Bates) is working hard for us and doing a really good job.”

Bates said he was pleased with his decision to move to Ballarat where he could ride for some of the top stables.

“The McEvoys have been giving me some good opportunities and it was nice to get a winner for them,” Bates said.

“I had ridden the horse in some jump outs where we had not asked him to do too much.

“He’s a straightforward horse, he’s a gentleman, he’s a colt but he took it all in his stride even though he was one of the first in the barriers and there was a long delay. He stood in there quiet as anything.

“He was just the best horse in the race today.

“I think he can get to city class.

“It is all a bit new. He began well and I was going to stay one off, but one horse came around me and he backed off, I could feel he was a bit new and green.

“Once I took him into clear air, I liked the way, in a matter of a few strides, he put the race away.”