Star Turn colt Pegasi helped publicize Tony & Calvin McEvoy’s new stable with a barrier-to-box victory in gusty conditions at Geelong on Friday.
The promising youngster crossed the field from a wide gate and was never headed in the Bet365 Maiden Plate (1147m). Back in action after a debut second at Geelong on Boxing Day, he was always travelling like a winner despite drifting noticeably to $10.
Pegasi (2c Star Turn – Draw Forward by Charge Forward) was an $80,000 buy from Sledmere Stud at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale and that looked money well spent following a half-length win over Lightsaber (Zoustar) and Tranquil Bay (Cable Bay). “He did quite a bit wrong first-up but learned from the experience and that counted today,” stable rep Finn McCarthy said. “So did his natural speed. We have a good opinion of this fella and he will come on again for this run.”
McEvoy Mitchell Racing opened a 100-box training complex in Ballarat last week to augment its South Australian property at Kildalton Park. “This is the best place to be based,” Tony McEvoy explained. “Ballarat has magnificent tracks with a vibrant community of young, aggressive and progressive group of trainers.”
Pegasi is the second winner from Star Turn’s first crop following Magic Millions 2yo Classic RL hopeful Miss Hipstar. His younger half-sister by Hellbent was purchased by Peachester Lodge for $160,000 at the Magic Millions on Wednesday.
Jockey Dean Holland said the winner kept it together really well in the windy weather. “He’s been well-educated and that made my job easier. He did throw his head up in the air out of the gates but didn’t lose any momentum. He nipped across within three strides and I didn’t have to do much once we got to the front.”
Star Turn stands at Vinery and his second yearling crop includes the colt from Hostile Witness (Lot 383) that made $180,000 to agents James Bester and Ross Lao at the Magic Millions Sale on Wednesday.
