Espiona (+270) claimed the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, with a driving effort to the wire under Kerrin McEvoy.
The Chris Waller-trained mare was luckless in her latest effort behind Think About It in The Everest (1200m), already franking that as a form-line to follow in future races.
She was able to go back and be ridden quietly towards the rear of the field, but gained cover throughout the 1400m, utilizing her impressive turn-of-foot when the race went on.
You couldn’t say the same for Magic Time (+180), who unfortunately for favourite backers, was a horror watch from the outset.
Tyler Schiller couldn’t slot in for cover from barrier nine, leaving the four-year-old mare out on a limp for much of the race.
She showed her class to knuckle down late to only be narrowly defeated in the shadows of the post, along with Ruthless Dame (+1500) produce a return to form after missing the frame in back-to-back starts.
It was all honours to the winner, however, as Espiona is finding a level of consistency for punters to latch onto with more confidence in the future.
2023 The Invitation Replay – Espiona | T: Chris Waller | J: Kerrin McEvoy
Charlie Duckworth was on course to represent the Chris Waller barn and noted that their mare is far from straight-forward, but oozes quality.
“She’s not very straight forward as everyone knows and that’s well publicised,” said Duckworth.
“The exciting thing is she’s a Group 1 winner, she’s a multiple million dollar winning filly. She’s got a beautiful pedigree and even if she gives a couple of awkward rides here and there she’s a real thrill giver and she had to dig deep today.
“The Everest was not ideal, she didn’t really get a fair crack at them at all. So to come here today and bounce through that and then have to course wide throughout. I thought ‘Gee you’re going to have to be good today to win’ and she was exactly that.”
Kerrin McEvoy has an unblemished record in The Invitation since it’s inception in 2021 and was elated to pick up the victory.
“It’s a nice one to win, that’s for sure,” said McEvoy.
“I was lucky to get the ride on this girl, she’s obviously been in great form. It’s nice to get the job done.
“It’s a nice race to be winning. It makes up for not being there for Cox Plate day, but it’s a great racing day up here as well.”
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