Waves roll in

Champion trainer Tony McEvoy praised his new stable jockey Barend Vorster following the win by Light The Waves at Morphettville Parks on Saturday, March 16.

Vorster ride the mare, the $3.60 favourite, which finished strongly to win the TAB Handicap (1950m) by 1-1/4 lengths from Savaheat ($3.80) with Korodon ($7.50), six lengths away third.

A South African who has been riding in Singapore, Vorster won the Group 1 Newmarket on Sunlight a week ago, won at his first ride in SA on Despatch on Monday, and now has notched his first Saturday Adelaide success on Light The Waves.

McEvoy was glowing in his appreciation of the jockey’s talent.

“What a ride,” McEvoy said.

“It was absolutely a star ride. She was the favourite and jumped slow but Barend took his time and he’s going to be a pretty good asset to my stable.

“He’s a star. He doesn’t know the form of the horses yet, he doesn’t know where the markers are yet, and he doesn’t know the form of the jockeys yet.

“Watch out when he works it out.   

“Light Waves was really good first up, a great run second up then I made the mistake of running her at a mile (1600m), she just couldn’t keep up.

“I said to the owner Michael Birchall that it had been my blue and to step her up today’s trip and didn’t she appreciate it.”

Vorster paid tribute to the trainer.

“Thanks to Tony for finding me these quality horses,” Vorster said.

“She’s a nice big strong mare and she relished the distance.

“She didn’t behind too well but worked her way through the field and won going away.”