Partnership’s first up win

The new training partnership of father and son, Tony and Calvin McEvoy had first up success when Quaffany ran home powerfully to win at Sandown on Wednesday, September 4.

In a perfect start, Tony and wife Jo, along with Calvin, watched the race on Racing.Com from the lounge in their home at Angaston.

Quaffany ($9.50), ridden by Luke Currie, came from near last in the Le Pine Funerals Benchmark 70 Handicap (2400m) to score a neck win from Vellaspride ($7) with Spanish Point ($3.30 fav), a head away third.

Victorian stable foreman Michael Shepherdson said it was the perfect start to the partnership.

“Calvin and Tony will be so excited,” Shepherdson said.

“Luke had to let the race unfold today from a good barrier.

“When the speed went into the race down the back it set the race up perfectly.

“Luke picked his way through up the straight and Quaffany was really strong late.

“Luke said pre-race he was as little concerned about going from a heavy nine to a good four and the track might be a bit firm,” Shepherdson said.

“But he handled it perfectly and is a perfect advertisement of patience.

“We’ve always liked him, but he’s made a lot of mistakes along the way and all the owners have been rewarded this preparation.”

Winning jockey Luke Currie said Quaffany had proved a versatile galloper handling all types of track conditions.

“Tony (McEvoy) was pretty keen to ride him back early and we thought the tempo might be muddling,” Currie said.

“He relaxed lovely in the run and they sprinted up and got him chasing off the bridle.

“The runs were coming as quick as he could get into them, but he was building momentum and strong through the line.”