News

Plenty of passion in Moroney's mare

25th Sep 2011

Racenet - Nic Ashman - Saturday, 24 September 2011

The Melbourne Cup winning combination of Mike Moroney and Kerrin McEvoy delivered a blow for favourite backers after Platinum Passion produced a tough on-pace performance to win the Perri Cutten Plate (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

The daughter of Redoute's Choice pinged out of the barriers but McEvoy took hold of the five-year-old and settled outside The Black Oak, who set the early pace.

Heavily backed favourite Shewan jumped well but drifted back during the run and was amongst the tail-enders rounding the home turn.

Meanwhile, McEvoy dug-up Platinum Passion and the mare strode clear of her rivals soon after straightening.

Shewan got out at the 250m mark but the race was all over and the favourite could only manage second ahead of the Danny O'Brien-trained Lopov, who finished third.

"If you draw wide and begin well you can get across without spending a penny,” McEvoy said.

"We ended up in a nice spot and she cruised along nice.”

"We built into it from the 600m and she'll be competitive enough over the spring.”

Moroney said he was unsure where the well-bred galloper would head next but hinted she might tackle a stakes race.

"She's really coming of age now. She's out of a daughter of Horlicks, it's a good staying family and she's really starting to mature,” Moroney said.

"She's been stakes placed without winning.”

The Flemington horseman said McEvoy's decisive ride proved a winning move.

"Kerrin showed initiative to use her good start, it was a good ride,” he said.