MARC Chevalier modestly says he takes little credit for his mare Everyone’s A Star being able to race consistently for a year.
“She really enjoys racing; she loves it,” the Hawkesbury trainer said on Thursday ahead of another assignment at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
“It makes things so much easier when they’re happy in what they are doing.
“You see other horses being anxious when they are parading at the races, but not her.”
Chevalier might be downplaying his role, but there’s no question he has done an outstanding job as the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) will be Everyone’s A Star’s 18th start in 12 months since she first raced for him, and won a 3YO Maiden Plate (1000m) on her home track on June 11.
The now four-year-old daughter of Star Turn, purchased by his great supporter Dr Ulysses Crosson for $15,000 at the 2021 Inglis HTBA sale in Sydney, had not raced since June 22 the previous year when sixth in a 2YO Maiden Plate (900m) at Newcastle.
“Everyone’s A Star’s original trainer Jeff Englebrecht retired at Wyong at the end of that season, and the mare had a good break before coming to me,” Chevalier said.
“I didn’t plan to kick her off at Hawkesbury that day, but the nominations weren’t strong and so we decided to have a go.
“She won (at $12) and really hasn’t looked back since.
“I don’t do much with her between races, and you don’t have to once they’re fit.
“She has a maintenance gallop on the Tuesday morning before she is due to race on the Saturday.
“Everyone’s A Star is showing no signs that she needs a spell. She had an easy 800m gallop on Tuesday morning, and ran her last 400m in 25.5 seconds under a strong hold.”
The mare’s 17 starts for Chevalier have produced five wins (the last three in town) and seven minor placings.
That initial $15,000 outlay has returned nearly $235,000 – and there’s every chance more prizemoney will arrive on Saturday at a track where she has already been successful.
Everyone’s A Star is coming off a game second under 60kg to Yiska in a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) there on June 1.
She rises 0.5kg, but her trainer did not consider seeking an apprentice to lessen her 60.5kg impost and has retained senior jockey Louis Beuzelin.
“I could have claimed but Louis has done nothing wrong on the mare and deserves to stay on her,” Chevalier said.
“She has drawn well again, and there’s no reason why she won’t maintain her consistent form.
“My only concern is that some rain has been forecast on Friday night. Four of her five wins have been on good ground, and she definitely prefers that.”
Chevalier also accepted with recent acquisition Morpheus Bragi (apprentice Jett Stanley) in the same race, but intended to discuss with the former Victorian gelding’s connections as to whether he backed up after finishing fourth on the Kensington track on Wednesday.
The four-year-old has raced well at all three starts for his new stable, but Chevalier’s thinking was that he might be better suited in something easier than a Saturday Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap to lift his confidence.
Chevalier is looking forward to backing up his stayer Torrens in Saturday’s Listed Winter Cup (2400m), after resuming when sixth to French import Eliyass in the Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) at Royal Randwick last Saturday.
“I was really happy with his run, and he pulled up well,” he said.
“The 2400m is going to suit him much better, and I think it is an easier race than last week.”
Whereas most trainers like to draw inside alleys, Chevalier in Torrens’ case wishes he didn’t have the No 1 barrier.
“Torrens is the type of horse you have to start building his momentum from the 800m,” he explained.
“I would have preferred him to have drawn wider on the track to ensure he isn’t stuck on the fence when he needs to get going.”
Story John Curtis, June 13, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
Comments