The Natural lives up to name

The Natural lived up to her name with a dominant all-the-way win at Cranbourne on Friday, March 26.

Heavily backed from as much as $8 into $4.40, The Natural, trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, jumped beautifully from gate six and was never headed.

Apprentice jockey Logan McNeil, who claimed 2kg off the mare’s 61kg handicap, rated her perfectly to win the De Bortoli Wines fillies & mare benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).

The Natural had 1-1/4 lengths to spare at the finish beating Buona Sera ($7) with Finesse Tess ($4.20 fav), 2-1/2 lengths away third.

McNeil rated the four-year-old mare perfectly getting a slow section before the home turn, then kicking away in the home straight.

Finn McCarthy, stable foreperson for the McEvoys, was delighted with the victory.

“We had been hoping for an improved run from The Natural at her last start, but things just didn’t go right for her,” McCarthy said.

“She got a super ride today and it was great to get the win.

“Logan (McNeil) followed stable instructions and got it spot on, he timed her perfectly.

“Hopefully, she can go on after today’s confidence boosting win.

“No doubt Tony & Calvin will look to take her through the grades, and hopefully she can go on again.”

Winning jockey Logan McNeil had been confident in running.

“She jumped beautifully and got the front quite easily,” McNeil said.

“She travelled really well, and the McEvoy team had her in perfect order.

“The Natural kicked away from them and was too good.

“She was still travelling coming around the turn and I hadn’t fully let her go at that stage.

“The mare ran through the line real strong and was just too good.

“I haven’t ridden much for Tony & Calvin but am grateful for the opportunity, and it was good to get one for them.”

Today’s win was the third for the daughter of Fastnet Rock from just 10 starts.