Two in a row for Pegasi

Rejuvenated racehorse Pegasi made it two wins in a row with a tough victory on the Ballarat Synthetic on Friday, September 16.

A $5 chance, Pegasi travelled wide throughout but was still too strong winning the Hygain Winners Choice Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).

After showing plenty of promise as a two-year-old, the now four-year-old had a period ‘in the wilderness’ but trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy have him back to his best.

Pegasi’s win made it a Ballarat double for the trainers who had won the opening event with Redzoust.

Ridden by apprentice Celine Gaudray, claiming 1.5kg, the gelding jumped well but found others pushing through inside keeping him out wide.

Gaudray allowed him to get in a rhythm before asking for the supreme effort in the home straight.

Pegasi answered the hard riding to win by a long neck from Boss Queen ($9) with Prowling ($1.70 fav) a length away third.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said it was fantastic to have Pegasi in winning form again.

“It was a really good win,” McEvoy said.

“He was a horse which had lost his way.

“There was no doubting his ability and that is why we ran him in the Millennium and the Blue Diamond – that is what we thought of him.

“He seems to have found his form again which is very pleasing for the ownership group.”

McEvoy said they had asked the owners to be patient and they were now being rewarded.

“We tried to ride him quieter last time and it worked.

“Today, we tried it again. Unfortunately, he got posted wide, but he was in a great rhythm under Celine.

“He looked incredible today, a couple of lengths better than his last win and ran that way.”

Winning jockey Celine Gaudray said she had a bit of drama close to home.

“The reins went over my head, but all is well that ends well,” Gaudray said.

“He jumped quickly and was a bit keen early on but once those leaders went off a bit he had the chance to relax and find his feet.

“He was just too strong late.

“The McEvoys had him in top condition today.

“At the finish, the reins over my head and it was a bit scary, but I’m still here.”