Navy Black (AUS)
Navy Black (AUS)
2 f Merchant Navy – Black Prada by Domesday
O: S M George, R Cottee, Mrs S Cottee, Mrs A F Ramsay, R Jonathan, Ms J M Tynan, M D Tynan, Mrs T Pate, S R Pate, Mrs J G Tynan, D P Tynan, P H Tynan, Mrs J M Harvey, Mrs M A Tynan & G B Fromyhr
B: B2B Thoroughbreds
T: Tony and Calvin McEvoy
S: 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale V: B2B Thoroughbreds B: McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) P: $85,000
W: Polytrack Maiden Plate (1200m), Ballarat Synthetic, July 5
Navy Black (Merchant Navy) overcame both inexperience and age to beat her older rivals in the Polytrack Maiden Plate (1200m) on the Ballarat Synthetic on Tuesday, with her gritty display earning her Maiden of the Week status.
Sent off as the $1.55 favourite by bookmakers, Navy Black lined up as the sole two-year-old in the 1200-metre, nine-runner contest. Racing in fourth place early on, she moved up to lead when a gap appeared turning for home and held on bravely in the closing stages to beat Northwood Poppet (Written Tycoon) by a head with the same distance further back to Lushfields (Deep Field) in third.
“That was a good result for a two-year-old filly with untapped talent taking on older, more experienced opposition over 1200 metres,” Calvin McEvoy said after the race.
“She was exposed at the top of the straight and had to tough it out. She’s a nice filly for the future and will only continue to improve.”
In winning on debut, Navy Black became the sixth individual winner from 24 starters so far this season for Coolmore stallion Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock), who will stand the upcoming breeding season in the southern hemisphere for $27,500 (inc GST).
Navy Black was bred by B2B Thoroughbreds and was an $85,000 purchase from their draft for McEvoy-Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock at last year’s Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, having been withdrawn from the Inglis Easter sale.
Navy Black is the second winner out of the Domesday (Red Ransom) mare Black Prada, herself an unraced half-sister to four time Group 1 winner Appearance (Commands) and stakes-winner Mascareri (Commands). Black Prada has a weanling colt by Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) and was covered again by the Arrowfield stallion last spring.