Coffey time
On a weekend of outstanding rides, Harry Coffey put forward his nomination with a brilliant ride on Kentucky Nick on Seymour Cup day, Sunday, October 13.
Coming from a wide draw, Coffey allowed the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Kentucky Nick to stride forward and settle second in the Kilmore Ford Handicap (2000m).
With 400 metres to travel he sent the five-year-old for home and was never challenged.
Kentucky Nick ($8) won by 3-1/2 lengths from Wascaly ($4.20) with Perfetto ($41) a half-length away third.
Rayan Moore, Racing Manager for McEvoy Mitchell, praised jockey Harry Coffey for Kentucky Nick’s win.
“Harry Coffey is the genius for this win,” Moore said.
“We thought three wide with cover was where we were going to be.
“Harry assessed it fantastically out of the machine. It is a tight run to the first turn, and he was quite wide but just let him stride up under his own steam.
“Kentucky Nick had a bit of a think about it in the home straight, but Harry reminded him of his obligations.
“He has always threatened this horse, he is a work in progress.
“He is still lightly raced and is working it all out.
“It is his time of the year now coming into summer and I think he can get to metro grade, probably up to 2400 metres.
Moore repeated his praise for jockey Harry Coffey.
“I think we (McEvoy Mitchell) have combined pretty well with Harry.
“He is fantastic to have in the stable, absolute pleasure and he works harder than anyone and is being reward with these good rides.
“He is a top 10 rider in Melbourne every day of the week.”
Winning jockey Harry Coffey believes Kentucky Nick can keep improving.
“It was a fantastic result but has been a while coming,” Coffey said.
“I’m sure after today after that performance we can get the ball rolling again.
“He won like a horse that should be able to go up in grade, continually race well and hopefully win a couple more.
“He jumped well today which helped me.
“I was a little wide early, but I knew the speed would come out of the race because there wasn’t a lot of speed on paper.
“We got into a lovely rhythm and went along at a nice gallop.
“He had them beaten from a long way out and really rounded the race of well, especially the last 50 metres.
“A good complete effort.”