Sensationally backed Winning Partner ensured weight of numbers won the day when the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained galloper won this afternoon’s $100,000 Listed TQCSI Balaklava Cup (1600m).
The McEvoy yard supplied five runners in the capacity 16-horse field and supplied first and third, with former NT runner Savatoxl running third, just behind Analytica.
Tony McEvoy was on hand for the barnstorming win and told Racing.com the horse was below his best in the wet last start at Moonee Valley.
“He deserved that…” McEvoy said.
“You can see what he can do there today…he got a bit further back than we thought.”
Winning Partner was backed from an opening quote of around $8 on race morning to start a $4.40 favourite. Jockey Barend Vorster had his choice of all five McEvoy runners and picked the right one, bringing Winning Partner with a sweeping run, widest on the course.
“It’s just lovely to win the race again and very pleasing that Barend was riding the horse,” the premiership-winning trainer said.
“And I’m really pleased he chose the right one.”
Balaklava Racing Club chairman Andrew Manuel said the club was rapt with the cup attendance, given the strict COVID-19 measures in place across the track and the subsequent crowd limit of 2000.
“What a great day we’ve had,” he said.
“We’ve got new sponsors this year for the cup and these guys jumped in at the last minute…and we thank you so much for what you’ve done.”
