Vivideel all the way
Lightly raced Vivideel broke through for a comfortable maiden win on the Ballarat Synthetic on Monday, June 19.
The three-year-old jumped straight to the front in The Haymarket Maiden (1400m) and was never really troubled to win by 1-3/4 lengths.
Vivideel’s win brought up a double for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy who had won earlier with Under And Over.
Backed from $3.90 into $3.10 favourite, jockey John Allen bounced the three-year-old away brilliantly and he was always able to control the race tempo.
Vivideel made his debut at Warrnambool in January running third, but he was then given a break before returning today.
Trainer Calvin McEvoy said the gelding was starting to mature into a quality racehorse.
“He’s a nice horse, a proper stayer this fellow,” McEvoy said.
“I thought he could win today but was worried they might be a bit sharp.
“He is a horse we think will get out to a mile and a half (2400m).
“There is a good crew of owners, lot of owners, a few in Melbourne who might celebrate with a lunch at the end of the week. Hopefully, I might get an invite.
“We have had to be quite patient but now that I think he is more mature, we can take him through his grades.
“It was quite windy today, and probably not an easy day to be a leader. He flew the gates and gave John (Allen) no option but to lead but he rated him perfectly.
“He will continue to get better.”
Winning jockey John Allen was impressed by Vivideel’s victory.
“He had been trialling up quite nicely,” Allen said.
“Tony and Calvin thought he would take good improvement from his first prep.
“He is still a bit raw.
“The plan wasn’t to lead but when he jumped as cleanly as he did, I didn’t want to hand it up.
“He got on one rein around the home turn and let another horse get up on his inside but once I put him under a bit of pressure he straightened up.
“He wasn’t stopping on the line but had a bit of a look around, and I’m sure he will get better over more ground.”