Multiple Group winning graduate Evaporate (NZ) added another notable stakes event to his race record when scoring an ultra-game victory in the $200,000, Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) at Sandown.
One of the most consistent Pattern Race performers seen in Australia over the past 12 months, the 4-year-old son of Per Incanto carried top-weight of 59kg to victory after being asked to take up the running mid-race in a surprise move by rider Blake Shinn.
To his great credit, Evaporate (NZ) led his rivals all the way down the lengthy Sandown straight and didn’t falter when challenged by main rival Transatlantic. The tenacious member of the Lindsay Park training establishment held on by a short half-head to record his sixth career victory — his third at Group level.
Speaking after the win, co-trainer Ben Hayes stated: “He [Blake Shinn] made the [unorthodox] move, the horse won and full credit to Blake.
“He’s a very exciting horse, like we have always thought, and I think he’s put his hand up to run in the Toorak Handicap in which he can be competitive.”
Hayes concluded: “He got a little virus, had a long time between runs and had a very good horse [Transatlantic] to his inside which was rock hard fit. I’m very proud of the horse.”
Consigned by Sledmere Stud and sold for $330,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on behalf of Little Avondale Stud, NZ, Evaporate (NZ) took his earnings to $1,591,726. His ownership group includes breeder Sam Williams, principal of Little Avondale Stud — home of Evaporate’s outstanding sire, Per Incanto.
Already a Group 1 placegetter after finishing third in last season’s Caulfield Guineas, Evaporate (NZ) is next expected to contest the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11.