Volkano erupts

Volkano erupted on race debut on the Sportsbet Ballarat Synthetic on Tuesday, July 8.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, and ridden by Harry Coffey, two-year-old jumped to the front in the Manhari Maiden (1200m) and was never headed in easy victory.

Starting the $1.80 favourite, Volkano raced away over the final 300 metres to win by 4-1/2 lengths from Costalotta ($11) with Succaforyou ($4), three-quarters of a length away third.

The trainers took the gelding to the track six times for a mixture of trials and jump outs before giving him his first race today.

Volkano had no trouble leading and Coffey let him get into a rhythm before asking him to extend turning for home and he bounded clear for a comfortable win.

Trainer Calvin Mc Evoy said Volkano had won well.

“You always have a few reservations with first starters,” McEvoy said.

“He looked a bit woolly in the yard and like there was plenty more to come.

“Thankfully, his ability got him over the line.

“He is a well-bred horse, and we paid a bit of money for him. The pedigree is huge, and we are grateful to all the owners who came out.

“We have been patient. Actually, as a colt last preparation, in a trial, he jumped out and wanted to pull himself up.

“It is hard to geld well-bred colts but sometimes it is the making of them.”

Winning jockey Harry Coffey believes Volkano has plenty of potential.

“He got the job done, he is very professional,” Coffey said.

“As we expect from Tony & Calvin’s two-year-olds, they know their job, especially here at their home base.

“He was bomb proof. I just gave him a little squeeze out of the gates and got an easy lead.

“I probably overdid it controlling the race, but he was able to provide a good last 600-metre gallop, and he was too good.

“It helps when they know where they are, but he knows his job well and he probably would have been competitive wherever they took him.

“Volkano is a lovely type, a good mover.

“Early on he had a few issues but since being gelded he has really switched on.

“I think the owners are going to have a lot of fun with him,”