Both making their racing debuts in Victoria’s most unique race, the stablemates look set now to head to Queensland to tackle the $2 million Jeep Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
McEvoy’s stable foreman Michael Shepherdson was impressed by the performance of both youngsters – who also finished close together, albeit in the other order in a recent clockwise qualifying jump out over 850 metres.
“They are both very exciting types,” Shepherdson said. “They’re different types as well.”
“That was the idea, coming here, with this race in mind and the trials – giving them as much experience as we can and it’s most important to get the prizemoney to make the Gold Coast.”
“I’m sure Tony will be throwing them on the float and heading up there now,” Shepherdson added.
The performance from Despatch impressed his rider, proven Group One winner Luke Nolen.
“When he got to the front he lost his way a little, under riding,” Nolen pointed out. “But first time at the races and going that way, it was a good effort.”
“It won’t be his last win either,” Nolen added.
Despatch was purchased by McEvoy Mitchell Racing for $195,000 at March’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale from the draft of Baramul Stud.
The good looking son of Written Tycoon was a successful pin-hook for Baramul’s Paul and Amanda Thompson after they purchased him for $40,000 from the Woodside Park Stud draft at the 2015 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast.
Another exciting galloper by former Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate Written Tycoon, Despatch is the third winner from four to race for the Fasliyev mare Zoccoletta.
A winner in Sydney of three races, Zoccoletta is the dam of five time winner Dyletta and she is a daughter of the Group Three Fernhill Handicap winner Vita.
Despatch’s third dam Penita (Pepenador) won five races including two Group Ones and was the Champion 4YO+ mare of Argentina.
Meanwhile, leading jockey Luke Nolen completed the feature Magic Millions double when he partnered the classy Speedeor to win the $100,000 3&4YO Classic (1100m) later in the afternoon.
Sent out the warm favourite after a brilliant win at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, Speedeor sat second for much of the race before storming to the front in the straight and holding on for a strong win.
A winner of three of his four starts to date, Speedeor will now head to the Gold Coast for the $2 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, a race won earlier this year by classy stablemate Mahuta.
“I think he will come on a bit more from that,” winning trainer Darren Weir said. “The 1400 metres won’t be a problem because he will be up on the speed.”
“We’ll have a crack at the Gold Coast now,” Weir added.
A colt by Northern Meteor, Speedeor was bred by Baramul Stud manager Paul Thompson and sold through the Baramul draft at John Foote for $45,000 at the 2015 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
Speedeor is the first winner to date for the twice raced Stravinsky mare Speed Dating, a half sister to the outstanding Singapore galloper Lim’s Objective.
It was a magical result for Paul and Amanda Thompson – they also pin-hooked and sold today’s Clockwise Classic winner Despatch.
