Concealer has turned around the spring fortunes of Tony McEvoy with her debut win at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.
McEvoy’s stable star Alpine Eagle succumbed to injury at the start of October and the trainer has endured a lean run during the Caulfield and Moonee Valley carnivals.
“We’ve had an ordinary time,” McEvoy said.
“It’s good timing today for a win like that and it’s a credit to all my team.
“When you’re not having the luck, everyone thinks about me, but the whole team feel it also.”
Ridden by Hong Kong-based jockey Zac Purton, Concealer ($20) defeated Prompt Return ($4.60) by a half-length with $3.80 favourite Missrock another length away third.
McEvoy said he had a lot of time for the daughter of Nicconi but admitted Concealer had surprised him by making it to the races before Christmas.
“She’s got great expression in her action and I thought the straight would be nice to let her get into her rhythm,” McEvoy said.
“I’ve bought a lot of Nicconis and you have to be a little bit patient with them.
“I know we’ve won a race pre-Christmas but most of my other ones, I hope I don’t go broke before I get them there they just need a bit of time.”
