Batrana easily
Superbly bred Batrana proved way too strong for her rivals on the Ballarat synthetic on Sunday, July 14.
Bounced to the front by jockey Beau Mertens, Batrana was well rated to easily win the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m).
The win gave trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy a winning double having scored earlier in the day with the promising No Fuss.
Sent out the $2.30 favourite, the three-year-old filly was in a nice rhythm but had another runner proving nuisance value to the home turn.
But once in the straight, Batrana bounded away to win by 3-1/2 lengths from All So Clear ($5) with Bavarian Lady ($17), 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Trainer Calvin McEvoy, sporting a recently acquired Amalfi Coast tan, was delighted with Batrana’s easy win.
“She is a nice filly that has raced at a higher level than this,” McEvoy said.
“It was good to see bounce back and thanks to Tim Stakemire who looks after Sheikh Khalifa’s horses for letting us drop her back in grade to get some confidence.
“She is a filly that will win at metro level.
“Well done to the team as she is not an easy filly and takes a bit of management.
“She looked to be doing it quite well (in front).
“There didn’t look to be a lot of speed and we left it to Beau (Mertens), and she was in front for the whole of the race.
“She gave a good kick and was very strong through the line at her first try at this trip.
“I think she will love a mile (1600m) and potentially a bit further.
“There is not a lot of her so the battle will be training her for those trips and keep her condition on.”
Winning jockey Beau Mertens said Batrana had been very good.
“It was my first sit on her,” Mertens said.
“She is quite a quirky filly and gets quite worked up pre-race and behind the barriers, but it did not affect her performance.
“Once she is out and racing she switches off and today quickened up really well.
“She should go on to bigger and better things.
“I think she should make her way through the grades and will win better races than today.
“I expect her to take good improvement from today and step up to midweek or metro level.”