Sea rolls in again

Maturing stayer Following Sea made it two wins from as many runs this preparation with a tough performance at Wangaratta on Tuesday, October 8.

The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained four-year-old made it three wins from just eight starts with his victory in the Wangaratta Bearings Benchmark 64 Handicap (2000m).

Ridden by Damien Lane, and starting a $4 equal favourite, Following Sea drew clear to win by 1-1/4 lengths from Infinity Imperial ($4.80) with Edzel ($10), a long neck away third.

An outstanding first up winner over 1600 metres at Hamilton, the gelding appreciated the extra trip at Wangaratta.

Lane had Following Sea away well and was happy to sit parked outside the leader in a good rhythm.

Turning for home he asked the gelding to extend, and he drew clear to win for owner Pipeliner Bloodstock of Wayne Mitchell.

Stable foreman Finn McCarthy said Following Sea was an improving galloper.

“It was great to get another win with this fellow,” McCarthy said.

“He has just taken a bit of time to mature.

“The step up to 2000 today suited him.

“We thought he would improve following the good first up win.

“He has trained on very well from that first up run and we were confident he would go well.”

Winning jockey Damien Lane said Following Sea had been well suited by the trip.

“He is obviously good up around this distance and today worked out well,” Lane said.

“Tony and Calvin present their horses really well all the time and it was good to ride another winner for them.

“It was a good win, and he will get further as he has already won at 2200 metres.

“We really did no work through the first three quarters of the race, so we just had to sustain a good 600 (metres) and he did so.”