Nick’s second-up success

Talented middle distance galloper Kentucky Nick continued his excellent second-up record with an easy win on the Sportsbet Ballarat Synthetic on Monday, August 4.

Giving trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy their first success in the 2025/26 racing season, the six-year-old raced away for an easy victory in the McGrath Ballarat Benchmark 64 Handicap (2100m).

The victory was Kentucky Nick’s second with two placings from five second-up runs.

Ridden by Cian MacRedmond, Kentucky Nick ($6) drew clear to win by 3-1/2 lengths from Bismarck ($41) with Quite The Lass ($3.50), three-quarters of a length away third.

MacRedmond settled the gelding third on the fence and give him the run of the race before coming wide turning for home.

Kentucky Nick extended in great style to race away for an easy win.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said Kentucky Nick had been impressive.

“It was a pretty easy watch,” McEvoy said.

“Cian sat pretty quiet on him, and he is a horse that has run a lot of placings, so I didn’t want him to be too pretty.

“The horse really relished the step up in trip and it was a beautiful ride by Cian.

“Kentucky Nick has been doing a bit of jumping and is an old gelding but a jump up in trip suited him.

“He enjoys the schooling and had a trial in between runs where he was a bit one-paced which didn’t give us a huge amount of confidence.

“But watching him spark up in the lead up today we knew he was ready to race.

“Cian (MacRedmond) is a lovely rider, and we are keen to build our relationship with him.

“He is an Irish lad and a very strong rider.”

MacRedmond said he been confident of victory on Kentucky Nick a long way out.

“For a horse that is usually behind the bridle in a race, he really travelled today.

“On the corner, I was tanking along.

“I would have loved to sit a bit longer, but I was worried about how well the horses behind me were going.

“In fairness to this fellow, he finds a gear but once he hits the front he doesn’t do a great deal.

“I had to keep him honest all the way through the finish.

“It will be a confidence booster for Kentucky Nick.”