Xmas cheer with So Unusual
The My Racehorse No 1 ownership group are going to have a lot of fun with ex-New Zealander So Unusual judging by his win at Moonee Valley on Friday, December 16.
So Unusual, trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy and ridden by Declan Bates, overcame a troubled run to grab a last stride win in the Absolute Plants & Landscapes Class 1 Handicap (2040m).
Backed from $3.60 into $1.85 favourite, the lightly raced New Zealander was knocked about and had a troubled run before grabbing a head victory from Tutankhamun ($61) with Manco Man ($21), a length away third.
The four-year-old is raced by the My Racehorse No 1 group with members spread around Australia, in partnership with a number of other McEvoy Mitchell Racing stable clients.
After beginning nicely, So Unusual found himself shuffled back towards the tail of the field as other runners, caught wide, went forward.
Bates took the gelding out wide with 800 metres to travel but as he tried to improve found himself being bumped even wider.
So Unusual was pushed very wide on the home turn but once Bates was able to balance him up, the gelding lengthened beautifully and grabbed victory in the shadows of the post.
Trainer Calvin McEvoy has a big opinion of So Unusual.
“It was a very special win,” McEvoy said.
“Nothing really went right for him, and he settled further back than we would have liked.
“He got poleaxed a few times, and for him to pick up, as a green horse, and get over the top, gave us a big thrill.
When So Unusual was pushed very wide around the 600-metre mark, McEvoy said he hadn’t given up hope, but not many horses could overcome those issues.
“He’s a horse we’ve always had a good opinion of,” the trainer said.
“He was sourced from New Zealand and our Racing Manager Rayan Moore wanted to get his hands on him and sold him down.
“I think we are going to have a lot of fun with him going forward.”
McEvoy said he would wait before deciding the gelding’s future program.
“We’ll get him home and give him a bit of time, then work out what we do next.
“I think he is going to be even better over a mile and a half (2400m).
“I spoke to Ben from My Racehorse, and they are having their Christmas party tonight so they will be cheering.
“We have owners all over the place, some in Adelaide having a Christmas party and we’ve got a good crew of our owners as well.
“They are going to have a lot of fun.”
Winning jockey Declan Bates is also very impressed by So Unusual.
“It wasn’t looking good at different stages,” Bates said.
“He’s a lovely horse this fellow and he is still learning what it is all about.
“That race got a bit messy, and I was just trying to look after him.
“I just what to let him roll into it, give him a chance to build through his gears, he’s a genuine stayer.
“Even when I pulled out wide thinking I was doing the right thing getting him into clear air I got bumped even wider.
“Once he straightened up, he picked himself up really well.
“He was too good in the end.”