Until a couple of months ago trainer Mike Moroney had the stakes-winning filly Octavia almost entirely to himself.
But as she hit the line in the Listed Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, the roar was deafening.
Octavia winning the Kevin Hayes Stakes at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia (Steven Dowden)
Thanks to Moroney’s persuasive powers, Octavia now has around 30 owners, most of whom cheered her to her third victory.
“I looked like being left holding about 80 per cent of her,” Moroney said.
“But I had an open day at the stable late last year and a few of her owners turned up and they told a few more and now there’s a big team.”
Octavia had appeared to be a shade below the class of Saturday’s race in her past two runs, but thanks to a perfect ride from Kerrin McEvoy she now has a coveted black-type win against her name.
“She probably deserved to win a stakes race on honesty alone,” Moroney said.
McEvoy revealed that despite an exemplary ride, the win may have had a lot to do with a bump Octavia received from third placegetter Angelic Light at the top of the straight.
“She came out and gave my filly a good bump that seemed to liven her up,” McEvoy said.
“It sometimes happens like that, it just switched her on.”
Octavia ($8.50) duly fought off Angelic Light ($8) and then survived the late charge of Members Joy ($8.50) to score by a short head.
The disappointing run of the race came from Perth filly Darlington Abbey who was supported from $6 into $4 only to weaken from the home turn and finish last of the nine runners.
