The stable has spent a very patient time allowing the Sebring filly My Delight to make natural progress.
Since returning to the Chris Waller stable in mid-2020, still as an unraced horse, the three-year-old has had four trials, with a debut run at Hawksbury, in which she finished fifth, sandwiched in-between those trials.
That Hawkesbury run was on March 16 was over 1300m. She stepped up the distance test to 1550m today and, more race ready now, she clearly relished the longer trip.
In fact, it was her effort over the last 150m that separated her from the rest of the runners as she produced eye-catching acceleration to cut down the free-running Echo Point, who looked to have established a winning lead halfway up the straight.
My Delight was unwanted in the betting jumping at a starting price of $11 with Sportsbet. Echo Point, who was brave in defeat, was the $3.10 second favourite and both of these runners left the $2.70 favourite Yangtze Rapids, another Waller trained runner, having to settle for third place.
“She was quite disappointing first up.” said Damien Fitton, spokesman for the Waller yard. “We thought she trialled well, but that was probably just a below par run for her. She’s trialled again since.
“They went a nice clip along in front and Kerrin (McEvoy) just bided his time. He came with one last shot at them and she got the bob on the line.
And as far as Yangtze Rapids is concerned?
“It was a ten out of ten ride from James (McDonald) to put him there,” offered Fitton. “I just think he might have got a bit lost around the turn. Tight turning track. He is quite a big horse … but he balanced up and hit the line nicely. He is looking for a bigger track, I think.
“She is not very big. That was my first ride on her,” said McEvoy talking about My Delight. “She’s been back to the trials since her first run at Hawksbury and trialled nicely there about ten days ago.
“I came here today trying to get a little bit closer, but she didn’t step with a lot of momentum, so I just had to park her away.
“She travelled really well. She surprised me how well she continued to pick up when I asked her to get into the race.
“it was a nice little win from her.”
