Zoist loves the 1400m.

A smart ride by Barend Vorster landed Zoist a comfortable winner of the $122,250 Magic Millions SA Three And Four-Year-Old Classic (1400m) at Murray Bridge on Saturday, March 5.

Vorster settled Zoist in midfield but kept several of his rivals in a pocket in the home straight before dashing for victory to give trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy the Magic Millions feature double having won earlier with first starter Twin Stars.

A $6.50 chance, Zoist won by 1-1/2 lengths from Show Some Decorum ($19) with Rathlin ($18), a head away third.

Trainer Tony McEvoy said the winner, like Twin Stars, were both by star stallion Zoustar.

“He is a stallion I like,” McEvoy said.

“What an honest little horse this fellow is at 1400 metres.

“He is a very capable little galloper.

“It was a beautiful ride by Barend. He had a good run and was very strong.”

McEvoy said Zoist was not the easiest horse to place.

“He doesn’t quite run a mile (1600m), and he finds 1200 (metres) too sharp.

“He’s had six goes at 1400 metres for five wins, and those trips are not around every corner.

“We’ll take our time looking for his next race, he’s a gelding and he is sound.

“Peter Beretta put this ownership syndicate together.

“Peter’s had a really tough couple of years with Covid being in the hotel game.

“The boys have been really patient and stuck with this horse and he’s been wonderful.”