Serenade on song

Patience has paid off with promising three-year-old filly Sunlit Serenade.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Sunlit Serenade broke her maiden status with an impressive win at Seymour on Sunday, October 12.

Having just her fourth race start, the filly, ridden by Damien Lane, finished best to win the Move To Strike At Lovatsville Maiden (1600m).

Lane had Sunlit Serenade midfield in the running line on settling down before asking her to lengthen over the final 400m.

The daughter of exciting stallion The Autumn Sun, a well backed $1.90 favourite, gathered in the leaders to win eased down by a length from Move The Torana ($6.50) with Zeaction ($4.60), three-quarters of a length away third.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said Sunlit Serenade was a definite improver.

“It was a wonderful effort by this filly,” McEvoy said.

“It was not a bad little race, and I love the way she did it.

“She was aided by a beautiful ride by D Lane, and it was fantastic to have him on board on a Sunday.

“She travelled comfortably and I felt she was never going to get beat.

“There is more improvement to come as she was only second up today.

“She presented beautifully today so she is improving.

“We have some nice targets ahead for her with the Mares Classic over 1600 metres at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day a perfect target as it is a stakes race.

“Then there is a 2000 metre race for three-year-olds worth $400,000. She can step up in grade after today.”

Winning jockey Damien Lane believes Sunlit Serenade is a nice filly making the right progress.

“She was good,” Lane said.

“She left the barriers well and I was able to use a little bit of early speed but there was some early pressure.

“I was able to drop in, and she settled lovely for me and always travelled really well.

“They really let rip off the corner, so she had to pick up and sprint hard.

“She did it well and was strong through the line.

“She has progressed nicely from her first up run and is going the right way.”