SILVASISTA RELISHES STAYING TRIP

ANY queries about whether Silvasista could run out the 2800m of the VRC St Leger Stakes (2800m) were put to bed when the three-year-old filly romped home to win by three and a half lengths.

Even co-trainer Calvin McEvoy admitted he harboured some doubts as the filly is the daughter of Toronado, whose progeny are invariably sprinters.

McEvoy said they will consider backing up Silvasista in next Saturday’s South Australian Derby, or they will wait for the South Australian Fillies Classic on May 9.

McEvoy said Silvasista had a confidence-boosting win at Donald over 2200m at her previous start, which convinced them to give her a try over a longer trip.

“We wanted to test her here over the distance with a look to the 2500-metre fillies race in a couple of weeks,” McEvoy told Racing.com.

“The way she won, it was a beautiful ride from Luke, and it could not have worked out any better.

“I’m thrilled for the team at Ballarat. They’ve sent two horses to the races today and they’ve both won at Flemington.”

McEvoy was referring to their other impressive winner, Mr Blunt, who won the Ian Bayles DFC BM 74 (1800m) by two and a quarter lengths.

In a brutally run race, Luke Currie positioned Silvasista mid-field and she travelled perfectly throughout the race and took over early in the straight.

Currie was also successful in the VRC St Leger on Transact in 2019.

The experienced and underrated Currie said he wasn’t surprised by the speed.

“We were going to bide our time. I tried to hold on for as long as possible. She was quite strong,” Currie said.