JHB filly burns turf

Three-year-old filly Turf Burner made an impressive debut for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy at Gawler on Easter Monday, April 13.

Ridden by Barend Vorster, Turf Burner, backed from $2 into $1.70 favourite, finished strongly to score by half-a-length in the Terrace Function Centre Maiden (1200m) beating Olive Grove ($4.60) with Lofty Tycoon ($19) a length away third.

The filly had trialled nicely in preparation for her race debut and trainer Tony McEvoy had been confident of victory, but Turf Burner gave him a few worries before the win.

She jumped well and looked likely to take a nice spot just behind the leaders but jockey Barend Vorster had to ride her hard to try and hold a position.

Then, on the home turn, the filly received a bump, but the jockey was able to get her into a rhythm again and she knuckled down to her task and finished strongly to win nicely.

McEvoy was impressed by the victory.

“I thought the 1200m would be ideal but in reality she might have been looking for further,” McEvoy said.

“Barend was hard at work getting to the turn then she got a knock.

“The pleasing aspect was that she was able to regain her rhythm and really ran through the line strongly.

“I will see how she comes through the race before Calvin and I look at a program, but she obviously will be suited over more ground.

“The filly was purchased and syndicated by James Harron Bloodstock but has just taken time to get to the races.

“We’ve always liked her and after today I’m sure she can have a good racetrack career.”

JHB Syndications paid $55,000 for Turf Burner, a daughter of Sizzling at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.