Price right for Zoushine
The win of talented filly Zoushine at Caulfield on Saturday, December 26 had an extra thrill for trainer Tony McEvoy.
The three-year-old was ridden by Will Price, son of Simon Price, who rode successfully for the trainer many years ago.
“I remember Will and his younger brother Ben wandering around in the Barossa when Simon was riding work for us,” McEvoy said.
“I have known him for a lifetime, and it was good to team up with him today.
“I think Will’s claim was crucial.
“Zoushine is not a big filly so with his 3kg claim she carried only 54kg.”
A well-backed $3 equal favourite, Zoushine, trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, drew clear to score a 2-1/4 length win in the Happy 50th Birthday Claudio Aranibar Handicap (1100m).
Despite drifting wide up the home straight, the three-year-old filly had an easy win from Miss Divine Em ($10) with Lariat ($8) a long neck away third.
Price had the filly away quickly and was able to settle her just off the pace before letting her join the leaders turning for home.
Zoushine accelerated away from her rivals but did tend to drift towards the centre of the track over the final 200 metres.
“She is a really talented filly,” McEvoy said.
“She’s already been stakes-placed three times I think, and I think she eventually will be a stakes winner.
“I have placed her aggressively but at the moment we are placing her to build her confidence.”
Winning jockey Will Price was impressed by the victory.
“I think she’s a nice horse,” Price said.
“She’s pretty natural, she had nice natural speed from the gates, travelled beautifully for me, just relaxed.
“Coming around the corner I knew I had the other favourite just inside of us.
“I was happy to be nice and tight, and just comfortable.
“I let her go when we had to and soon as she hit the front she was a bit wayward in the straight, so I think there is still a bit of improvement there.
“I think there is more improvement to come. I think if something challenged her she would have found again.”