Prefer Us on Oaks trail
Trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy completed an excellent Easter weekend carnival at Oakbank when Prefer Us was a strong winner on Monday, April 18.
After a winning treble at the Adelaide Hills course on Saturday, Prefer Us was the only runner for the stable on Monday in the Magain Real Estate Provincial Series (1900m).
Ridden by Kayla Crowther, the three-year-old filly, which started at $9.50, scored a half length win from Alpine Beau ($2.50 fav) with Harbelle ($10), a length away third.
Crowther had her away nicely from gate one and settled third on the fence.
Coming off the back straight, she eased Prefer Us away from the rails and in the home straight angled about four horses off the inside. The filly responded and proved too good.
The race was a part of the Provincial Super Series, but trainer Tony McEvoy has his eyes on a bigger prize with the filly.
McEvoy also explained the disappointing last start of Prefer Us, raced by Graham and Linda Huddy.
“She got off the bit mid-race last time,” McEvoy said.
“Barend (Vorster) felt she put in a couple of short strides and so he pulled her up and protected her.
“We’ve had three vets look at her and they couldn’t find anything wrong with her.
“She must have just struck herself or landed wrongly on the day, and thankfully, she came out okay.”
McEvoy said the stable would like to get Prefer Us to the $152,250 SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday, May 21.
“For the Group 1 2000 metre Oaks, they will be a bit nippy for her I would say, but we might have to run her in it to get her to the mile-and-a-half.
“If I can find an easier option, I will go that way but the 2500 (metres) will be a lovely race for her.”
McEvoy gave praise to the Oakbank carnival.
“It is a fabulous meeting – very South Australian, very iconic.
“I think it is a good chance of getting back to something like it was in the day.”
Winning jockey Kayla Crowther was impressed with the win of Prefer Us.
“This filly gave me a beautiful ride,” Crowther said.
“She was super strong late.
“I wanted to be out as deep as I could but to be honest, I couldn’t.
“My horse handled the ground really well.
“She can hit a bit of a flat spot sometimes, but she worked through her gears nicely.
“She really hit the line well.”