Evans chasing career-defining win in Origin Distance

By Josh Spasaro

Thursday night’s Origin Distance is going to be the biggest race of Riley Evans’ young training career.

But, the 24-year-old considers it a privilege to have both Goldstar Prada and Goldstar Sandler starting for Queensland in the Group 3 feature, which is worth $150,000 and contested over 710 metres at Q2 Parklands.

“It’s easily the biggest race we’ve ever been in. This is bigger than our New Zealand Cup, stakes money wise,” Evans said.

“It’s just an honour to be in it and to have two in it we’re rapt. No matter the result, we’ll be happy.”

The Evans family – led by the father-and-son team of Steve and Riley – only shifted to Churchable in South East Queensland with 80 greyhounds from New Zealand early last year.

But, Evans said it was an honour to represent the Sunshine State as it attempts to win back-to-back Origin shields.

“I’ve got a lot of pride racing in Queensland and you can see why so many people get into the actual Origin football,” he said.

“There’s a lot of pride in getting selected. To have two out of the four runners for Queensland is going to be really cool.”

Turning three on August 24, Goldstar Prada carries excellent form into the Origin Distance after winning three of her past four starts.

That includes a triumph over Soiree and the consistent Firethorn over 710 metres at Q2 Parklands on May 21.

The Federal Morgan and Goldstar Journey black bitch has gone about her business superbly, conserving energy and flashing home late.

“I think it’s going to be pretty hard in a full field and with the way she races coming from last,” Evans said. 

“It’s a talented field and it’s going to be pretty hard work. But, with the times she’s put on the board, she’s been going really consistently at the moment.

“So, hopefully we’re in with a chance. I’d like to see her get back around to the 700 metre boxes with three or four in front of her.

“She holds the run-home record there of 11.79 seconds, which was absolutely airborne. She’d have to repeat something like that or be at her absolute best to go with some of them.

“But, we’re in the race and that’s the main thing. Anything can happen.”

Litter sibling Goldstar Sandler also carries good form into Thursday night’s assignment after winning two of his past four starts.

And, the brindle dog finished runner-up in The Dashing Corsair Final over 642 metres on June 4.

“Goldstar Sandler has got his speed back and we’ve changed a few things with him,” Evans said.

“A compression suit has settled him down. He’s quite a hyperactive dog. He’s been coming out good and getting into handy positions.

“He was going super over 450 and 550 metres and then we stepped him up. He went a bit flat, but since we changed a few things, he’s really started to like it.

“And, we’ve been really happy with his past five starts. He had no luck in his Cyndie’s Magic heat, but that enabled us to start him over 710 metres last Thursday night.

“I was really happy with his run then. I thought he put a pretty good time on the board (41.70 seconds).

“It was a super run in the Dashing Corsair Final. He just didn’t have enough to go with Ella Cole’s dog (Highway Princess) early and he was absolutely flying late.”

Evans said Goldstar Sandler was “bred to stay”. He is out of one of the fastest chasers he has trained, Goldstar Journey.

“It looked like 642 metres was maybe the top of his range. It was a good win against one of Bailey Dargusch’s handy ones, Midnight Queen, last Thursday night,” he said.

“He’s bred to stay. His litter sibling is Prada and the mum Journey has thrown some handy stayers.

“It’s good for him to finally hit his stride and be handy over 700 metres.”

Goldstar Journey was retired after two incredible come-from-behind victories from 20 starts in New Zealand.

“She’d have to be in the top three fastest dogs we’ve ever had. She was an absolute rocket,” Evans said.

“It’s a bit disheartening when things don’t go right with a good one. Thankfully, she’s thrown a couple of handy ones.

“We were going to bring her over here as a broodbitch, but we left her in New Zealand.

“We’re regretting that a bit now, but we’ll be breeding out of Prada, so hopefully we can keep that line going.

“She’s been rehomed in New Zealand and she’s with a good family over there. On trial day, she’d absolutely blow the hands off the clock.

“She’d always miss the kick, but she’d come home like a freight train. Thankfully, she’s left a couple of nice ones.”