Redzoust rallies

Talented three-year-old Redzoust displayed an admirable will to win in scoring at Moonee Valley on Friday, November 11.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Redzoust looked sure to be swamped on the home turn in the Ranvet Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m), but the colt responded to the urgings of jockey Dean Holland to hold off all challenges to win by a head.

Sent out at $8.50, Redzoust jumped quickly and was able to settle outside the leader in the run to the home turn.

He wobbled a bit on the home turn as runners came out wide in quest of victory.

Once in the home straight, Redzoust knuckled down and ran strongly to the line to beat Gunna Gunna ($61) with Quraysha ($17), 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy is hoping the colt can continue his rise through the classes.

“It was a fantastic effort,” McEvoy said.

“He wobbled around the bend at his first time here.

“I was really happy how positive Dean (Holland) was on him.

“We made the decision we wanted to bounce out – he has shown good speed at home, he’s a beautiful colt with such a relaxed temperament.

“Getting him switched on was what we needed to do, and I thought Dean did as terrific job.”

McEvoy said the team had to be careful placing Redzoust.

“We have to thank Cliff (Little) and Shane (Carroll), the owners, they have really supported our stable and had to be patient with this horse.

“We have ducked and dodged some soft tracks and some heavy tracks as we know he doesn’t like them.

“It was nice to get on some good ground here and they are going to be repaid because he is a lovely horse.

“We had him in the Red Anchor (Stakes) which was pretty aggressive placement because we have a good opinion of him, and he might get there in the autumn.”

Winning jockey Dean Holland was full of praise for Redzoust’s determination.

“Me and Calvin had a chat before the race,” Holland said.

“I said I think we have two options, one was to be really positive out of the gates or if for some reason we don’t step as quick as he can, I’ll take a sit three wide with cover.

“Her pinged the lids really well, gave him a rub and ended up controlling the race outside the leader.

“He wobbled around the bend, but to his credit, he really dug deep.

“He had the ears pinned flat back, and always had promised to win a race like this, and I think he is a bit better than that as well.

“He always wanted to beat it (the runner up), he really had the ears pinned back.

“He was just waiting for a mate coming around the bend, but he got the job done.”