The Natural in a breeze
Promising three-year-old filly The Natural treated her rivals to a galloping lesson with an easy all-the-way win at Gawler on Saturday, July 11.
Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, The Natural defied an amazing betting drift to win.
In very early markets, the filly was around $2 but drifted out to $2.90 pre-race before being friendless in betting eventually starting at $6.
Ridden by Barend Vorster, The Natural was taken to the lead in the GBJC Thanks It Members Three-Year-Old Benchmark 66 Handicap (1200m) and never headed.
When Vorster asked the filly to extend, she dashed away from her rivals winning by three lengths from Classy Jaybee ($2.40 fav) with Renouf ($9) a length away third.
Trainer Calvin McEvoy was shocked by the lack of punter interest in the winner.
“The Natural has been sparingly raced but always has shown nice ability,” McEvoy said.
“We just couldn’t get to her early because she was a little immature.
“On her day she has got so much talent and at home she has shown us she was capable of measuring up at Group level.
“It was nice to see her do it today.
“Damien Oliver (champion Victorian jockey) has been trialling up in Melbourne and rode her first up at Sandown but she was just over doing it.
“We made a few little gear changes today and Barend gave her a lovely ride.
“Her best form has been on top of the ground, so we were a little concerned about the soft seven rating today.
“But I was confident if she brought her best form, she would be hard to beat.
“She will keep improving and well done to Wayne Mitchell, Phillip Mak and the other owners who had had to be patient.”
Winning jockey Barend Vorster was delighted with the victory.
“Tony & Calvin have worked out what to do with the filly,” Vorster said.
“Just get her out there striding nice and comfortable and get her to relax a little bit.
“I think at her last start she over-raced and got held up a bit.
“The plan today was to let her stride along, get her comfortable and let her do the talking.
“She changed stride once around the home turn, but I kept her one off the fence to find some nice going.
“Through the 600 (metre mark) she was asking me to let her stride, she was really travelling well.
“She was in good order today and showed everyone the real The Natural.”