Macy builds momentum at Bendigo

Sunday, 10 December 2023 | Manhattan Rain 3yo Macy Moon was all better for a debut fourth last month and he flashed that improvement with an all-the-way victory at Bendigo on Tuesday.

Macy Moon was stepping up from 1350m to a mile with the extra distance an important factor in his odds shrinking from $4 into a $2.90 favourite for the Bertocci Maiden (1600m).  Taken straight to the front by Madison Lloyd, he ran away in the home straight to score by more than two lengths from Cortain (Impending).

Macy Moon (pictured) is a 3yo gelding trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy for a syndicate managed by his breeder Adrian Beard.

“That was very impressive.  They served up to him and he beat them off pretty convincingly,” stable foreman Tim Henley said.

“He gave a good kick coming around the bend and was strong to the line.  It was never really in doubt.”

Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) is just finishing his second book at Geisel Park and he sired Macy Moon from NZ-bred mare Savannah Moon (Savabeel) who won the 2016 Rising Stars Final (1800m) at Flemington for trainer Rod Symons.

Winning jockey Madison Lloyd was impressed by Macy Moon’s momentum in the lead.  “I wanted to ride him with cover because he’s still very green but there was no speed so we ended up in front.  He came back under me, gave a good kick, and was strong through the line.”

Harlem Nic was equally impressive for the Geisel Park stallion winning at Wangaratta in track-record time on Saturday.  And she’s on a hat-trick after an Albury maiden victory last month.

Trained at Wang by Ben Brisbourne, she was right at home in the John Wohlers Jewellers Hcp (1590m) under Connor Murtagh.  Taken on for the lead by Munsa Magic (Poet’s Voice) and Limbering (Ferlax), the lightly-raced 4yo mare had enough in reserve to kick clear in the straight while lowering the new mark to a lightning-fast 1:34.75s.

Harlem Nic’s dam Nicodora (Stratum) won at Morphettville for Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes and she’s a half-sister to the Group 1 winners Nicconi (Bianconi) and Niconero (Danzero).