Illumicon can win better races

Trainer Tony McEvoy said Illumicon, a winner at Sandown Hillside on Wednesday, July 25, had all the attributes of a good horse.

“I think he’s a Group horse, I really do,” McEvoy said

A $9.50 chance, Illumicon, ridden by Luke Currie, began quickly from an outside gate in the Ladbrokes Multiverse Handicap (1000m), shared the lead and drew clear to win by a length from Furnish ($6) with El Magnificence ($5.50), two lengths away third.

“A horse of his class coming to Sandown on Wednesday in July should be winning and he got the job done,” McEvoy said.

“He showed good speed, shared the lead in a composed fashion, then quickened.

“He’ll take great benefit from that run and it will be good for his head.”

The trainer said he would now sit down and plot a program for Illumicon.

“I’m thinking he might get up to 1600 metres, and perhaps a race like the Toorak Handicap might suit him later in the year.

“We’ll see how he comes through today’s race and then look to the future.”

Winning jockey Luke Currie, back from a holiday, said it was tremendous to ride a winner.

“We have always had a big opinion of him and he has worked really well but generally left it on the track,” Currie said.

“But after a spell, and being gelded, he has come back a different horse.

“He could get hot going to the gates but today you could have ridden on a piece of cotton.

“Everyone at the stable has done a good job with him, he was a more mature, professional horse today.”