It was No Fuss (NZ) (Jon Snow) by name and nature at Sandown on Wednesday, as Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s exciting import broke the Hillside 1500 metre record with a devastating victory.
Now undefeated in three starts since arriving from New Zealand as a maiden, No Fuss was a stunning winner from last after flopping out of the gates fresh, but jumped much better second-up and sat third in isolation before challenging in the straight.
Divine Thoughts ($3.10) offered resistance from the front, while Liberami ($3.60) chased hard from too far back, but John Allen never looked troubled in the saddle.
No Fuss was asked for an effort at the 300m mark and was ultra-impressive from there, moving to the lead stylishly and scoring in 1:28:64, 0.15 seconds clear of the previous record.
It was Allen’s second raceday sit on the son of Jon Snow, and he was impressed with No Fuss’ versatility, with the gelding sitting last early in both prior Australian runs.
“He’s quite a classy horse, as he’s shown so far at the races,” Allen said.
“He began ok, and when a couple inside me didn’t press forward, that spot was always going to be there behind the leaders, and we were able to get there without doing too much work.
“They rolled along at a good tempo, but he was always in his comfort zone at that speed, and he travelled up to them and put him away.”
Allen feels the OTI-owned galloper still has a lot to offer around his current distance range, but doubts there will be any issues if he does rise to staying trips.
“He’s not a slow horse, he has a bit of class,” he said.
“(But) he has the right demeanour, he kind of relaxes nicely. Carries his head a little bit awkward but he does have a nice staying action. He feels like a stayer.”
With Allen suspended at the time, Harry Coffey filled in aboard No Fuss first-up, but the Irish hoop will do his best to ensure he stays in the saddle from here on in.
“I think I was rubbed out the last time – hopefully I can behave with the stewards and stay on him for the foreseeable future,” he said with a laugh.
