Prestar’s brilliant victory

The decision by trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy to campaign a team in Queensland returned another win dividend when Prestar thrashed his rivals at the Sunshine Coast on Friday, May 30.

Well backed as a $2.15 favourite, Prestar led early then dashed away to a 4-1/2 length victory in the Beta Wellness QTIS Two-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Maiden (1000m).

Ridden by Ryan Maloney, the colt won easily from Jaggery ($4.20) with First Empire ($9), two lengths away third.

His time of 1:00.5 on the heavy track was 1.59 seconds (about nine lengths) quicker than the fillies had taken in the preceding race.

Prestar debuted in the Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington in November finishing down the line after a bad experience and was sent for a break.

He trialled in great style at Doomben on May 8 and took that effort to the races leading then kicking away over the final 300 metres.

Trainer Tony McEvoy was thrilled by Prestar’s win.

“It was a fantastic win by this impressive young colt,” McEvoy said.

“He put on a faultless display today.

“He has a great head on his shoulders this horse with a fabulous temperament.

“Prestar began nicely and controlled the race from the front and kept extending away.

“The further they went, the stronger he got.”

McEvoy said Prestar had handled the heavy ground but would be better suited on firmer going.

“There were a lot of positives from today and he had such a nice experience at the races.”

Winning jockey Ryan Maloney said Prestar had great potential.

“He had shown he was up to this with his trials,” Maloney said.

“It was great to see him bring it race day after his first-up mishap and didn’t show any demons mentally-wise. He wanted to compete.

“The other day when I rode him in the trials he had something to chase down, let rip and showed a great turn of foot.

“Today, he quickened up nicely but was more star gazing wanting something to challenge him.

“He is definitely a horse that is going places.”