3 minute read

Trainer Terry Evans would like to think his talented grey Sir Ravanelli is the ideal type to aim at Grafton’s feature sprint this winter and hopes he can take a step toward that goal at Canterbury on Wednesday.

The six-year-old has his second run since a two month break in the Yarraman Park Handicap (1100m) and a breakthrough city win in his next few starts will put the Listed Ramornie Handicap, run in July, on the agenda.

Terry Evans was rapt with Sir Ravanelli's first-up third behind dashing winner No Statement over 1000m at Wyong last month and the potential for a soft track is a plus.

"I'm sure he's going to pick one up, even a Saturday race in town, but everything's got to go right for him,'' Evans said.

"He's a big kid but he's racing really tractably now and enjoying himself.

"We'll see how we go for a couple of runs, we'd definitely head to Grafton. That'd be the long range plan."

Sir Ravanelli, $11 with TAB on Tuesday, started his spring preparation with successive wins at Grafton and Evans has been encouraged by his performances in Benchmark 78 grade prior to a short let-up.

He engaged in a speed battle at Randwick just prior to Christmas before running third behind Robusto a few weeks later and was flushed out wide well before the turn at Rosehill when fourth to Union Army.

"He was a bit unlucky not to win at Randwick when he ran third and all the form out of that race is really good, not much went his way at Rosehill,'' Evans said.

"You've only got to look at his form, he's usually not far out of the placings."

With regular jockey Darryl McLellan out suspended, Evans had no hesitation in locking Nash Rawiller in for the ride at Canterbury and he's confident the gelding will respond to his style.

He's expecting the race to be run at a genuine tempo which he feels will suit as he's not likely to be forced to ride the speed and should be able to find cover from barrier four.

"When Digger was suspended we had to try someone else so we might as well go straight to the top,'' he said.

"He's a bit of a funny horse to ride, even though he's six he's still a bit immature in the brain. I'm sure Nash will do a good job.

"Digger said he was getting home that quick at Wyong he'd have picked them up in another 100m.

"We know the pace will be on, we should be maybe three pairs back and one off the fence."