The Blue Diamond might seem overly ambitious but if it happens to rain in Melbourne over the next couple of weeks, Rosehill winner Everage could be on a float south.
The filly made light work of Saturday’s heavy 10 track to lead all the way in the Spotless Handicap (1200m) to give trainer Craig Carmody his first two-year-old winner.
Everage winning the Spotless Handicap - Photo by Steve Hart
The former jockey is also the owner of the youngster in partnership with his old friend, Victorian trainer Mick Kent.
Everage was an emergency and missed a start in the rich Inglis Classic on January 19 then blew the start at her debut at Canberra six days later when she ran second.
“I rode her on Tuesday on the B grass at Randwick and she went beautifully in the ground,” Carmody said.
“Mick said she would handle it and a lot of the credit goes to him.
“She’s out of a Snippets mare and that also gave us confidence.
“She’s entered for the Blue Diamond but we’ll wait and see on that. Rain down there might help.”
Darley’s Parfuri was scratched at the barrier after sitting down then rearing up and will be sent back to the trials.
When the race got underway, Twilight Royale ($4) and $3.30 favourite Aussies Love Sport came out at the tail of the field.
With Everage ($21) leading the way, Twilight Royale steadily made ground and ran Everage to a long head with Dowdston Charlie ($18) another half-head away third.
Twilight Royale heads to Melbourne for the Inglis Premier in two weeks.
“We’ve got to be happy with that,” trainer Bjorn Baker said.
“We were giving the three kilos so she’s done a good job.”
Everage is by Zizou and cost $20,000 at the Classic sale and earned $48,750 plus a $20,000 BOBS bonus for her victory.
