Despite being away in South Australia preparing for Calvin McEvoy’s wedding, the McEvoy training team still signed off on another major spring moment as Motorsports claimed Saturday’s Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The father-and-son partnership viewed the race from their hotel, surrounded by family and friends as the weekend’s celebrations got underway ahead of Calvin marrying fiancé Demi.
Stable favourite Harry Coffey, who will also be attending the wedding, steered the Street Boss filly to victory and knew the win would add extra energy to the rehearsal-night festivities.
“We’ve got a big day tomorrow with the McEvoy clan and I’m happy to be still invited to the wedding after that,” Coffey laughed.
“I’d be saying there’d be a pretty rowdy pub in Adelaide somewhere right now.”
The $4 favourite was simply too sharp late, sprinting clear to defeat Recuperato ($17) by three-quarters of a length, with Regeneration ($6.50) finishing third.
The performance capped a phenomenal spring for the McEvoys, highlighted by the Caulfield–Melbourne Cup double achieved by Half Yours with Jamie Kah.
Coffey was delighted to regain the ride, having originally trialled Motorsports before missing her debut due to the arrival of his baby.
“I was lucky enough and fortunate enough to find her when she swapped from James Cummings to the McEvoy team, but unfortunately I couldn’t ride her at her first start because my baby was due the day she ran at Ballarat,” he said.
“I put that aside and, luckily enough for me, Luke was suspended and I was able to rejoin and get back on her back.
“It’s good of Godolphin and the McEvoys to allow me to do that as she’s a ripping filly.
“She’s a pleasure to ride, she does things right and she has a turn of foot. That’s everything you want from a horse.”