Yulong’s Mildura crown

European-bred Yulong Crown, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, indicated a promising future over ground with a strong maiden win at Mildura on Monday, September 23.

Heavily backed from $3.50 into $2.35 favourite, Yulong Crown, ridden by Dean Yendall, ran home powerfully to score a 1-3/4 length win of the Congrats P Payne TOTY Maiden (2000m) beating Recycle ($9) with Repetiteur ($10), a half-length away third.

Coming from barrier 10, Yendall had the three-year-old on the fence early before bringing him between runners early in the home straight.

Pulled to the middle of the track past the 200-metre mark, the gelding lengthened beautifully to win running away.

Yulong Crown had one run in Ireland as a two-year-old before being transferred to Tony and Calvin McEvoy.

He ran midfield at Benalla on his Australian debut before lining up today.

South Australian stable foreman John Cornell was impressed by the victory.

“It was a beautiful ride by Dean (Yendall),” Cornell said.

“The horse was stepping up to 2000 metres fairly quickly, so he needed to be conservative in the run, and he was.

“The horse did the right thing at the finish.

“He showed the benefit of a first up run at 1400 and appreciated the trip today.

“Tony and Calvin (McEvoy) took the blinkers off to make sure he relaxed a bit, so it was a good job by all.”

Winning jockey Dean Yendall said he had just needed some luck around the home turn.

“He travelled well and go into a good spot early,” Yendall said.

“They got into a good clip going into the first turn as they usually do, and he followed the pace.

“He was pretty keen is still a way off from being race smart.

“He wanted to run through the bridle a bit, so I had to persevere with him, then hope there were runs for him when I wanted to get going.

“He had a good look around when he got to the front but went well and should be improved by the win.”