The Newhaven Park Country Championship Series kicked off with a popular local winner at Tuncurry on Sunday, with the Terry Evans trained Sir Ravanelli taking out the first series qualifier ahead of the Grant Jobson trained Imatruestar, with both runners earning their place in the $500 000 Championship Final which will take place at Randwick on April 1.
The most important win of Sir Ravanelli’s career came on the back of the grey’s win at Port MacQuarie … results which has left the son of Iffraaij unbeaten in two starts in this preparation.
Under Evan’s guidance Sir Ravanelli has put together a very smart race record of five wins … with four minor places (including three runner-up finishes) … in only twelve starts.
This includes five starts in Sydney where he has already performed with credit having finished second twice in TAB Highway races.
“He’s had feet issues, everyone knows that, and we’ve had bar shoes on him, but it’s all come together,” said Evans post-race, which possibly, in part, explains why the five-year-old has been lightly raced.
“We’re over the moon. It was a perfect ride (by jockey Darryl McLellan). He did everything right. Settled, got to the front and when he let down he left them standing.
“The owners deserve it, all the money they put in, and we’ve worked hard to get him there. I’m just so excited.”
