
Two in a row for Malletier
Bold running Malletier made it two wins in a row with an authoritative victory at Pakenham on Friday, January 17.
Coming from a middle draw, Malletier shared the lead before drawing clear in the NZB Karaka 2025 Handicap (1100m).
Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy and ridden by Billy Egan, the three-year-old started $3.40 favourite and scored by three lengths from Melidesh ($4.20) with Stolen Art ($12), a neck away third.
The gelded son of star stallion Nicconi, won his maiden at Wangaratta on December 23 and was able to step up to benchmark 64 company and win impressively.
Trainer Calvin McEvoy said Malletier was a definite improver.
“It was a bit of a step up today,” McEvoy said.
“There were some form horses and money for others, but Billy (Egan) rode him beautifully.
“Malletier travels very strongly, and we still don’t know what is under the bonnet, but he is starting to show us.
“Congratulations to Peter and Glen Carrick, they have been very patient with him. They bred him and he is a beautiful horse and looks like he will make the grade for them. He is going to through his grades this horse and will get to metro level at some point.”
McEvoy said Malletier had impressed him.
“The way he travels is excellent.
“Billy had a double handful and everything else was under pressure. Sometimes they scare you because there might be nothing under there, but I think he has got something.
“I think he is versatile and will go on all types of ground.”
Winning jockey Billy Egan said Malletier had improved from his maiden win.
“He was a little more forward today and had taken a bit away from his maiden win,” Egan said.
“With two good wins under his belt he is turning a corner.
“They didn’t go as hard as I thought but I was happy sitting outside the leader, riding him like he was the only one out there and keep him happy.
“He did not jump as well as he did at Wang (Wangaratta), but it only took him a few strides to get his revs up and cruise around and sit outside the leader.
“They didn’t go flat out, and he got into a nice rhythm.
“He quickened a lot better than he did at Wang, but he was still a bit new when I first put him under pressure, but it only took him a few strides to balance up and put them away.”