Time To Test has bounced back from a long spell on the sidelines to win the Port Adelaide Cup-LR (2500m) for a good cause at Morphettville.
The lightly-raced 6yo was facing a black-type field for the first time on Saturday but he looked right at home defeating Warrnambool Cup winner High Church by three-quarters of a length.
Time To Test is the 62nd stakes winner by Vinery sire Testa Rossa and is raced by members of the E J Whitten Foundation for prostate cancer research. Part of his prizemoney is donated to the charity named after legendary Big V football coach Ted Whitten.
“He’s a good stayer but has spent the best part of two years sidelined with a suspensory,” trainer Tony McEvoy said. “Now he’s thriving at Angaston and was too strong today.”
McEvoy was considering a Brisbane Cup-Gr.1 campaign before changing tack to the Banjo Paterson Series in Victoria. The $120,000 Final over 2600m will be held at Flemington on July 8.
Time To Test was bred by Parsons Creek Farm in the Lower Hunter and his dam Silk Shantung (Elusive Quality) is an unraced half-sister to Scratchy Bottom (Epona Stakes-Gr.3).
He completed a 3yo hat-trick at Morphettville in June 2014 and came back to win at Rosehill a year later when McEvoy ran a satellite stable at Hawkesbury. The Port Adelaide Cup victory boosted his record to 7 wins in 19 starts and his bank-balance to $308,000.
Time To Test is the 3rd stakes winner by Testa Rossa in Adelaide this season following Amelie’s Star and Cavaloce and his 7th overall in 2016-17. He stands for a $16,500 (inc. GST) fee at Vinery Stud.
