Steel Trap terrific

Quality filly Steel Trap found winning form against the older horses at the Sportsbet Sandown Hillside course on Wednesday, October 1.

Steel Trap had her first run for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy in Listed company at Flemington on September 13 but disappointed finishing at the rear of the field over 1100m.

At the Sandown Hillside, the three-year-old filly, recently purchased by Yu Long Investments, bounced back with a strong win.

Perfectly ridden by Luke Currie, Steel Trap ($3.50) finished best to score a neck win in the Tile Importer Handicap (1400m). Sneaky Sunrise ($3.40 fav) was second with Bon Mistress ($12) a long neck away third.

The filly jumped well from gate one and Currie was able to settle her behind the speed.

When he asked for an effort in the straight, Steel Trap responded and came through to claim victory.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said it had been a relief to see Steel Trap find winning form.

“We were so dumbfounded about her first up run,” McEvoy said.

“We had to trust that getting her up in trip, around a bend would see her recapture her previous form.

“She had blinkers on first time and Luke (Currie) gave her a perfect ride.

“They didn’t go overly quick, and she built beautifully through the line.

“I think she is going to love a trip, probably up to 2000 metres in time.

“We have to thank the team at Yu Long for entrusting us with Steel Trap. She is a group winner and now we have to get her back to that form.

“A shout out to Rayan Moore, our racing manager.

“The race we looked we would have to run Steel Trap in was the Thousand Guineas Prelude, but he found this race – a drop in grade against the older horses, I thought she did a great job.

“She is definitely looking for a bit more ground now, but we will talk with Yu Long and see where they want to go, how aggressive they want to be but there is nowhere to hide.”

Winning jockey Luke Currie also believes Steel Trap will be suited over more ground.

“It was good to see her return to form,” Currie said.

“Her last run was a bit below standard for her. Today, she went down in grade to give her a bit of confidence.

“It was a big call by Calvin and Tony to go up to the seven (1400m) and put the blinkers on.

“She dropped her head beautifully and raced perfectly.

“It took her a while to quicken which tells me she is looking for a bit further.

“She might get out a bit further and be stronger because it took her a while to get through her paces.

“It was a nice win.”