Highlights from Anzac Day at Flemington

No Fuss sort of win from McEvoy gelding

Tony & Calvin McEvoy have a promising gelding on their hands with four-year-old No Fuss, who took out a benchmark 70 race over 1800m.

Originally from New Zealand, the OTI owned galloper notched up his third win from as many starts in Australia, settling outside the leader under John Allen and kicking clear to score by ¾ lengths over $91 chance Hoops, with half a length back to Detroit City ($10) in third.

No Fuss carried 61.5kg and held a slim margin for the majority of the long straight, a feat Tony McEvoy said wasn’t easy at Flemington.

“I didn't see him sitting outside lead, so he's showing he's very versatile, this horse,” McEvoy said.

“I've been doing this here at Flemington for a long time, and when you're in front, that far out, with 61.5 (kilograms) on your back, he's done a tremendous job.”

Allen, who was also aboard No Fuss two starts back at Sandown Hillside, said the gelding personified his name.

“He's a very nice horse and he's uncomplicated,” Allen said.

“It was very gently paced early, so we had no option but to probably roll forward. Once he was there, he relaxed nicely. As I say, he is quite uncomplicated.”

McEvoy suggested that a return to Flemington could be on the cards, with another 1800m race, a benchmark 84, on the 17^th of May a logical option.

Highvol takes Anzac Day Stakes

 Nick Ryan had no qualms about running two-year-old Highvol in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) on debut and his confidence was justified as the son of Microphone scored a tough win, the first horse to do so on debut.

Ridden on speed by Jamie Melham, Highvol ($9) held off $4.60 second elect Stay Cosmic to win by a head, with $5.50 chance Just Kick running on strongly for third a further long neck away.

Stable representative Damien Kefford said the horse’s extensive jump out experience had been key to kicking off in this race.

“From day dot, we've always had a big opinion on him,” Kefford said.

“He's very revy. He's always been a bit like a very typical Microphone. So we gelded him, gave him a lot of jump outs.Nick decided to roll the dice here, Nick always thought he'd be a 1400m horse plus.”

 While many would be happy to get the black type win and look ahead to the Spring, Kefford suggested there’s a strong chance Highvol would be seen in Queensland, with the Group 1 J J Atkins Stakes (1600m) the ultimate goal.

“There is some options up in Queensland even, for the end of their winter carnival. So obviously we'll see how he comes through this run and then maybe plot a path to some two-year-old races up there.”

American Wolf claws to St Leger success, SA Derby next

For all their success in three-year-old staying features, Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young were yet to win a VRC St Leger, with American Wolf pulling out all the stops to change that record.

First run in 1857, the St Leger is one of Australia’s oldest classics, and American Wolf ($12) proved the strongest stayer under John Allen, battling stride for stride with the Danny O’Brien trained filly Litzdeel ($8.50) to win by a long head, the pair clearing out by six lengths back to Kicking King ($12) in third.

Co-trainer Natalie Young said it was a thrilling race to watch and an even better one to win.

“Got a beautiful run. Just sat out the back, third last, and just relaxed nice and beautifully,” Young said.

Young confirmed next week’s Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) is firmly on the agenda for American Wolf, provided the son of Tivaci comes through the St Leger well.

“Definitely if he pulls up well, eats up, all the usual things, you might as well, you’re only three once. You don't have to do much with him, he's run 28 (hundred metres) today, he's going to run 25 next week, so you've just got to tick him over basically,” Young said.

King Zephyr impresses again

 Grahame Begg may have another very smart horse on his hands as King Zephyr made it five wins from six starts, taking out a benchmark 78 over 1400m in fine style.

Jordan Childs was happy to sit wide for the majority of the race but never looked like losing, sprinting quickly on the $1.90 favourite to score by two lengths over the resuming Otago ($8), with a short half head back to The Shaper ($19) in third.

Grahame Begg was tight-lipped about where King Zephyr could get to in the coming months, but did hint at a plan for the four-year-old.

“Pretty easy watch,” Begg said.

“He was a bit closer than I thought he might have been. He probably might have been a little bit fresh, up to 1,400 metres, a month between runs, but once he got into a nice rhythm, he travelled very sweetly, even though he was three wide.”

“It was pretty arrogant, I thought.”

“Fast speed, slow speed, he can really let down. The horse is still learning his craft. We keep on raising the bar, he’s taken the next step today and he's got a very bright future.”

“We'll let the dust settle. I've got a little plan in my head, but we'll just let the dust settle first.”