Lover proves too speedy

A decision to bring talented three-year-old filly Speed Lover to Adelaide was justified at Morphettville on Saturday, November 27.

Trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy had Speed Lover at their Ballarat base and the filly ran well at both starts but the move to their Angaston stables supplied a win.

A well backed $1.85 favourite, and ridden by apprentice Alana Kelly, the filly proved too quick for her rivals in the Twilight Races Friday December 17 Three-Year-Old Maiden (1100m).

Speed Lover began well from her wide gate but was trapped three wide early before Kelly was able to get her across to sit outside the leader.

Once in that spot the filly settled beautifully before the jockey asked her to dash for home in the straight.

Speed Lover cruised home 2-3/4 lengths clear of Starlite Valley ($31) with Squeaky Gate (($6), 1-3/4 lengths away third.

Trainer Tony McEvoy was delighted with the result.

“It was excellent to see her win so well today,” McEvoy said.

“She has shown ability from the start and now she is a city winner she can go for a break.

“At her first run she went too hard and got caught late, then at her next run blew the start and still ran very well.

“Today’s race looked ideal and with Alana’s (Kelly) 3kg claim she only carried only 52kg.

“It looked a touch ugly early when she was trapped wide but got across to sit outside the leader and was too good.”

McEvoy said Speed Lover was bred in Western Australia by Peter Walsh at his Amelia Park Stud.

“We purchased the filly for $160,000 and Peter was happy to buy back into her with a group of owners.

“She goes quick, like one of her part-owners, former West Coast footballer Phil Matera who was a flier on the field.

“After a break she can come back for some of the nice fillies’ races in the autumn.”