Winning is Wats Normal

Wats Normal made it two wins in a row with an impressive victory at Kilmore on Monday 5.

The win in the C+M Build Group Benchmark 58 Handicap (1457m) brought up a running double for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy who had taken out the preceding event with Bells Of Steel.

Ridden by Jake Duffy, Wats Normal ($3.30 eq fav) was powerful at the finish drawing clear to win by 2-1/4 lengths from Fire Tribe ($3.30 eq fav) with Play On Words ($14), three-quarters of a length away third.

The three-year-old settled midfield early on the rails before Duffy asked him to go forward about 700 metres from home.

The gelding quickly gathered in the leaders but was very strong over the final 200 metres racing away from his rivals.

Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell, said Wats Normal was a three-year-old getting better with racing.

“That was a really comprehensive victory,” Moore said.

“He put the race away pretty quickly at the top of the straight.

“It was a hot speed, Jake didn’t panic and got him to the outside – he will really go on with it now, this horse, it was a really strong win.

“He’s a big, strong horse and we have been really patient with him.

“We had him up and going as a two-year-old, but he never got to the races, he’s been a bit soft and actually ran into a very strong maiden at the end of his last preparation running behind Somewhere, that is strong form.

“Mentally, he was a kindergarten when we wanted him a pre-school.

“He’s really putting it together this time in. He is improving in leaps and bounds.

“Credit to Jake Duffy, he has been riding well for the stable and that is four winners over the five rides he has had for McEvoy Mitchell.”

Winning jockey Jake Duffy believes Wats Normal is a definite improver.

“I thought we might have a good run early but as it turned out, I was a pair or two further back than I wanted,” Duffy said.

“The horse travelled well throughout.

“I just needed to get the breaks when I wanted. Because we went along at a good gallop, horses were dropping out at the right time, and I was able to pick a path through.

“The horse is doing it the right way.

“I think he has taken good improvement from last start when I won on him at Werribee. When we hit the front then he floated a bit but today he was pretty much happy to put them away.

“I feel he is continuing to improve.”