Uma stars for McEvoy double

A special moment for apprentice Ben Price when he guided Star of Uma to victory at Morphettville Parks on Saturday, September 25.

The win brought up a Parks double for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy who had won earlier with Sign of Ussuri.

Star of Uma ($2.30 fav) led throughout to win the Barossa Fine Foods Viddora Series heat (1300m) scoring by a short neck from Point Blaze ($3.80) with Mona Dream ($13) two lengths away third.

But it was emotional for the teenage apprentice whose parents Simon and Belinda are longtime friends of Tony and Jo McEvoy.

The win brought up Price’s first Saturday treble and it was a case of third time lucky riding for the McEvoys.

“I’ve had two rides and it is fair to say I slaughtered them,” Price said.

“I’ve had a $1.70 favourite and $2.40 favourite for them and murdered them both but I’m glad to get this one.

“Star of Uma did a good job today.

“She was starting to feel the pinch late because it has been a month or two between runs.

“She did look a little bit big in the mounting yard so there is a fair bit of improvement to come.

“I had to do a fair bit of work from the gate to get to the front today, she was just a little bit slow into stride.

“Once she found the front she was genuine enough, she was on the chewy wanting to go a little bit quicker.

“But I got a good enough breather and then I wanted to get rolling on her again with the big weight – she did a good job.

“I’ve grown up around Tony and Jo (McEvoy), and all the McEvoys since I came out of the womb.

“To get a winner for Tony and Jo and the team means a lot and hopefully there is more to come.”

Sara Rutten, stable spokesperson for the trainers, said there would be improvement out of the win for Star of Uma.

“It is great to see her back in winning form,” Rutten said.

“She was a bit luckless last start, so we sent her up to the farm, she led off the pony and she has just come back bigger and stronger.

“She has really matured mentally because she could be a bit of a funny filly early days, but she is a lot better these days.

“Star of Uma definitely does have ability, but like all fillies she does have her quirks.

“She was a little but tubbier than she usually is because she did so well up at the farm but was too good for them.

“Maybe she was a little bit tired late so was still too good.”

Rutten said she thought the McEvoys would possibly target the $100,000 Viddora final with Star of Uma.