Wodka waltzes home

Waltzing Wodka indicated she was a mare on the rise with a strong win at Gawler on Wednesday, November 21.

Solid in the market at $2.60, Waltzing Wodka, ridden by Emily Finnegan, scored a comfortable 1-1/2 length win in the Coopers Dry Class Two Handicap (1725m) beating El Desperado ($1.75 fav) with Pat The Weapon ($12), 3-3/4 lengths away third.

Assistant trainer Calvin McEvoy said the four-year-old mare was starting to mature into a quality performer.

“She has always had the ability, but has been slow to mature mentally,” McEvoy said.

“This time in, she is much improved and today was a good guide to her ability.”

Waltzing Wodka didn’t begin quickly but once into stride got into a good rhythm and Finnegan allowed her to slowly improve and she was in a challenging position rounding the home turn.

In the home straight, the mare looked little lost when clear of the field but once the runner-up gave chase, she got her mind back on the job and won comfortably.

McEvoy said the McEvoy Mitchell team had really liked the filly as a yearling.

“We purchased her for $100,000 at the Magic Millions as a yearling and soon after Seaburge and Catch A Fire, her relations, won stakes races to add value for her breeding career before she even reached home.

“Now hopefully she is on the path to stakes races herself.”