Tough Tommy terrific

Tommy stamped himself as a stayer with a future with a slogging win on the Sandown Lakeside on Wednesday, November 29.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Tommy ($2.40) outstayed the favourite Speranzoso ($2.15) over the last 800 metres of the Evergreen Turf Handicap (2100m) in a two-horse war.

On the line, the five-year-old, ridden by Harry Coffey, had a short neck to spare from Speranzoso with Royal Rift ($6.50), eight lengths away third.

Coffey settled second on Tommy in the staying contest but from the 800-metre mark put pressure on the leader and they drew clear with the McEvoy-trained runner prevailing.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said it was a fantastic win for the ownership group including MyRacehorse.

“They (MyRacehorse) are very good supporters of the stable and very open to any horse we put to them,” McEvoy said.

“They have a good chunk in Tommy as do a number of our lovely stable clients.”

McEvoy said it had been a tough watch.

“It was a tactically run race as we expected.

“They went a nice gallop and leading to the turn I thought he had the race.

“Then, Clayton’s (Douglas) horse (Speranzoso) rallied, and they had a ding dong battle.

“I think our horse is still working it out, and there is a lot more there.

“Tommy has done a good job this preparation, been in for quite a long time so we will sit down and maybe back off him.

“He’s a nice bright stayer for the future.”

Winning jockey Harry Coffey said it had been a tough battle to win.

“It took a lot. The runner up was really tough, and really strong at the 2100 metres,” Coffey said.

“I felt I was on the best horse, but I had to be mindful of the conditions, the wind and my horse’s big weight.

“Luckily, my fellow was fit and well presented today, and we were able to get the job done.

“It became a bit of a tactical battle, and for a four-horse field, for people watching the race it would have been more exciting than they might have thought.

“I was happy to lead but the runner-up had a bit more early speed.

“Just around near the mile (1600m), it was really windy, and it doesn’t hurt to have a horse in front of you guiding.

“I don’t think it protects you, it is blowing everywhere, it is just good to have a horse in front to keep my bloke concentrating.

“From the 800 (metres), I didn’t want to get left flat footed, so I went alongside the leader and made it a race from there.

“Two very fit horses fighting it out, and fortunately, my fella got the better of the other horse.

“He has come a long way this prep, so a spell will do him the world of good and when he comes back, he will be able to race up in grade.