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Evolo’s win opens door to Millions

5 January 2019

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By Isaac Murphy

Evolo was a gelding going places for the Edmonds stable last prep, the three-year-old putting forward a strong showing in the Group Three Grand Prix at Doomben.

A trio of runs tailed off runs at the Sunshine Coast didn’t read as good form to start his second prep, but the astute Edmonds had seen enough to be confident his charge would turn it around in the Benchmark 80 over 2200m.

“His first few hit outs this prep weren’t much chop,” Edmonds said.

“But watching his last run even when he ran fifth he galloped through the line well and I was optimistic the 2200m would suit him well.”

The trainer knew best, as the Gelding clung on for a gutsy victory after a bold mid-race move from the ageless Jeff Lloyd.

“He summed it up well in taking him forward, there was no point sitting three wide on a moderate tempo, he does it all the time Jeff he’s a wizard.”

Edmonds said despite the horse’s ability he had been a bit of a problem child for the stable and was only starting to get his racing manners right now.

“He’s a bit tricky with his running patterns this horse,” Edmonds said

“He likes to lay in a bit, so we’ve tried a few different riders to find that comfort level,” he said.

“In the end it took Jeff (Lloyd) setting him alight early to get him going.”

The win couldn’t have come at a better time for the Stable, with the gelding needing to win to lift his rating for the Magic Millions Trophy.

 “He needed to win today to give himself a chance next week, now he has hopefully he can take that confidence into next week.”