Outstanding Elphinstone

Classy four-year-old mare Elphinstone produced an outstanding effort to win at Flemington on Saturday, January 11.

Coming from near last in the field of 11, the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Elphinstone finished best to grab a half-length victory in the Off The Track Trophy (1600m).

Well backed from $8 into $4.40, the four-year-old mare was given perfect ride by Beau Mertens and indicated further wins are in store with her comprehensive win. She wore down Farhh Flung ($5.50) with Le Zebra ($3.80 fav) a head away third.

Coming from a wide gate, Mertens elected to allow Elphinstone to balance up early and rather than be caught three wide, dropped in to settle second last on a hot tempo.

He brought the mare out wide in the home straight and she lengthened beautifully to round up her rivals.

Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell, said Elphinstone was definitely a mare on the improve.

“We came to Flemington very confident,” Moore said.

“They went very quick today and Beau (Mertens) was going to be trapped three wide, but he used his brains, slotted in and blended in perfectly.

“It was a really good win although it may not have looked comprehensive on the line. But I think she had plenty in reserve and is a mare that can really go on with it now.

“She is going to be a very handy mare going forward and hopefully we can grab some black type with her.

“We can be patient with her as she is a mare that holds good condition.”

Moore indicated the McEvoys would look for suitable races over the next few months to attempt black type races.

Winning jockey Beau Mertens was impressed by Elphinstone’s finishing burst.

“Tony (McEvoy) informed me was happy with the wide draw as she doesn’t like racing inside horses,” Mertens said.

“We were able to get a position where I was able to get a trail into the race.

“She has got a powerful finish this mare. She builds through her gears and when you ask her to go, she lets down really well.

“I rode against her last start, and she came flying past me, she has got a powerful finish, and she gets stronger as she goes through the line.

“She has got such a great attitude and handled the day really well as it was hot out here. She is a smart mare.”

With her win, Elphinstone has taken her stakes of $731,950.