Timeonlees terrific

A change in tactics paved the way for Timeonlees to break her maiden on the Ballarat Synthetic on Tuesday, July 30.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Timeonlees was given time to balance up early before running home powerfully to win the Veolia Maiden (1500m).

In previous races, the three-year-old had been ridden more prominently in her races but the trainers asked for her to be ridden more quietly early today.

The result saw Timeonlees ($8) run home strongly to score a neck win from Magic Defense ($1.80 fav) with Whiskey Creed ($5.50), 3-1/4 lengths away third.

Trainer Tony McEvoy said he feared Timeonlees might have given away too much start.

“It was a different map for her today,” McEvoy said.

“I gave Declan (Bates, jockey) a blank sheet of paper and it just showed he is a high-class rider and a very good judge.

“He just took her back and got into a beautiful rhythm.

“She has always travelled a little bit uncomfortably in her races, but gee, she travelled today.

“I thought we were too far back, but Declan was the best judge and he got it right.

“I was concerned when she had to go so wide on the home turn.

“Dec(lan) was waiting for something to do a bit of work for us, but when that didn’t happen he had to come right around them, and I thought that was her race done.

“But she was fabulous and really kept coming to the line.

“I think we learnt something today and will follow that lead.”

McEvoy said the trainers had been confident Timeonlees would handle today’s trip.

“We did a gene test on her and it says she could get 2000 metres.

“Learning the way she liked to race today I’m happy to be stepping up even further in trip.”

Winning jockey Declan Bates said despite giving away a big start he was confident Timeonlees would figure in the finish.

“Tony said he wanted me to ride more of a patient race, but I am not sure he meant that patient.

“We drew the outside gate and I didn’t want to be setting her alight early, I would have loved to have been midfield.

“They went quite quick through the first 400 (metres), but she didn’t really stretch out underneath me, so I just let her find her feet early.

“From the halfway point she really started to come up underneath me and I knew then she was going to run really well.

“I wanted to get a run through but it didn’t happen, so I had to come wide and reel them in, it was a good win.

“She has been ridden on speed quite a bit but today we learned that she likes sitting off them and running home strongly late.

“It took a while to get a maiden win, but she is one that might go on with it now.”