Veteran trainer Les Bridge enjoyed a delayed birthday celebration at Rosehill when Aye Aye Captain returned to winning form. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy admitted he owed the stable a good result following a costly recommendation at her previous start.
Aye Aye Captain had previously disappointed, finishing fifth as the favourite on a heavy track after McEvoy encouraged Bridge to let her run.
Back on firmer ground in Saturday’s Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap (1400m), the mare made no mistake. Sent out a $3.30 chance, Aye Aye Captain battled strongly to score by a neck over Ticklebelly ($5), rewarding the patience of her connections.
McEvoy confessed he had some repairing to do after the mare’s last-start defeat.
“I must admit, he wasn’t too happy with me the other day when I convinced him to run on the heavy track,” McEvoy said.
“I could tell when I rang him after the races he was a bit flat on me.
“Anyway, he’s waited for today, freshened her up, and her work during the week was good.
“She settled better for me today, and the better ground suited her.”
The victory continued the long-standing association between McEvoy and Bridge, which dates back almost a quarter of a century. Their first win together was with Miss Zoe in the 2002 Emancipation Stakes, and their biggest career success came when Classique Legend won The Everest in 2020.
“My first winner (for Bridge) was a good mare of his way back in the early 2000s, Miss Zoe. This was when I was just out of my apprenticeship,” McEvoy explained. “Then when I moved to Sydney, I didn’t ride a lot for Les early on. Carmel (Size) linked me up when she knew she had a smart one in Classique Legend, and I’ve been doing a bit ever since with Les.”
Well-backed favourite Enviable ($2.50) failed to perform, fading to finish last after racing behind the leader. James McDonald told stewards the mare travelled comfortably throughout the race but did not respond when asked for an effort in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination was expected to determine if there was an underlying reason for the disappointing run.
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