Second Balaklava Cup for Dawn Approach Gelding Winning Partner

Mark Smith - Wednesday September 15

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Winning Partner defended his crown in Wednesday’s Listed Balaklava Cup (1600m).

Winning Partner goes back-to-back in Balaklava Cup (image Racing SA)

The handsome chestnut son of Dawn Approach (IRE) dawdled out of the barrier before Barend Vorster hunted him up to travel to midfield.

It was a one-horse race in the straight as Winning Partner stormed home to defeat Second slip (Alamosa) by one and three-quarter lengths with Classy Joe (Danerich) a further two lengths back in third.

The 6yo gelding becomes the first horse to win back-to-back editions of the race and is a third consecutive winner for Tony McEvoy and his son Calvin.

After winning the race last year, Winning Partner added the Listed Murray Bridge Cup a month later.

He has been campaigned exclusively in Victoria since November last year without winning.

“What an absolute thrill for the team and everyone involved in this horse,” stable representative Sarah Rutten said.

“He came here on Monday from Ballarat in great order.

“He has been really unlucky in his runs in Melbourne and to see him do it back-to-back today is just amazing for everyone involved.”

 Purchased by McEvoy Mitchell Racing Pty Ltd for $110,000 out of the Glenelg Park draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Winning Partner advances his record to seven wins and six seconds from 29 starts with earnings of $432,500.

He is the best of three winners from as many foals out the Johannesburg (USA) mar Lady Frere who won little more than a Cowra maiden in 20 starts.

A half-sister to the Listed SAJC HC Nitschke Stakes and Listed Adelaide Guineas winner General Peekay (General Nediym), Lady Frere died in 2016.

Winning Partner comes out of the first of five southern hemisphere crops by Darley Stud’s 5-time Group1 winner Dawn Approach (IRE) and is one of 15 stakes-winner worldwide.

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Race Result - Tqcsi Balaklava Cup LR 1600m

Balaklava Track: Good(3) Time: 1:34.20
1
Winning Partner
- 6g Dawn Approach (IRE) x Lady Frere (AUS) (Johannesburg (USA))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: B Vorster 55
2
1.8
Second Slip
- 5g Alamosa (NZ) x Scarlet O'Hara (NZ) (Fast 'n' Famous (AUS))
Tnr: Will Clarken Rdr: Todd Pannell 57.5
3
3.8
Classy Joe
- 7g Danerich (AUS) x Capital Growth (AUS) (Brocco (USA))
Tnr: J Hickmott & C Riggs Rdr: J Maund 54
4
5.2
Extreme Thrill
- 7g Bullet Train (GB) x Mezmar (AUS) (Marwina (AUS))
Tnr: W F Francis & G Kent Rdr: J Potter 54
5
6.1
Ritratto
- 5g Fiorente (IRE) x Family Portrait (AUS) (Excellent Art (GB))
Tnr: R W Huxtable Rdr: Jessica Eaton 55
6
6.3
Master Chum
- 7g Clangalang (AUS) x Flying Foxtrot (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: R H Wilkinson Rdr: M Aitken 55
7
6.6
Hasta La War
- 6g Declaration Of War (USA) x Mofajah (GB) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Tnr: Ms S Murphy Rdr: Jacob Opperman 54
8
7.5
Wings Of Pastrami
- 5m Supreme Class (AUS) x Persian Palace (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: J R Searle Rdr: Ms C Jones 54.5
9
8.4
Highly Decorated
- 5g Epaulette (AUS) x Lolavie (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: Ms N Bruggemann Rdr: Jessie Philpot 55
10
8.7
France's Boy
- 8g Equiano (FR) x Ooh La Leilah (NZ) (Zerpour (IRE))
Tnr: J Hickmott & C Riggs Rdr: Sophie Logan 54
11
9.7
Mr Marathon Man
- 8g So You Think (NZ) x Marie Des Fleurs (FR) (Smart Strike (CAN))
Tnr: D C Saxon Rdr: D Tourneur 54.5
12
10.1
Chapel City
- 8g Ilovethiscity (AUS) x Chapent (AUS) (Peintre Celebre (USA))
Tnr: G Richards & D Moyle Rdr: Ms S Metcalfe 55
13
10.5
Eperdument
- 7m Americain (USA) x Cislunar (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: T T Oxlade Rdr: Kayla Crowther 54.5
14
13.7
Jaguary
- 6g Niagara (AUS) x Guipure (NZ) (Spartacus (IRE))
Tnr: Travis Doudle Rdr: J Holder 54
15
14.2
Sesar
- 6g Sebring (AUS) x Sarthemare (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: D C Saxon Rdr: P Gatt 60
16
14.8
Bertwhistle
- 9m Al Maher (AUS) x Monte Fantastic (NZ) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: D I Dodson Rdr: Eran Boyd 54
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