Dawn Wall completes hat trick with Kembla Grange Classic win

Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy and the Chris Waller trained filly Dawn Wall completed a hat trick of wins together when they combined to win the Group 3 $200,000 Arrowfield Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange today.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy, above, was abaord Dawn Wall when she won the Kemlba Grange Classic. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy, above, was abaord Dawn Wall when she won the Kemlba Grange Classic. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Dawn Wall has risen quickly through the ranks and after breaking through for her maiden win over 1550m at Canterbury on February 3 showed she was ready to step up to Stakes company after scoring a two lengths win in an 1800m BenchMark 71 Handicap at Rosehill on February 22.

McEvoy settled Dawn Wall near the tail of the field from the outside barrier in the eleven horse field before making a move coming to the home turn.

McEvoy saved plenty of ground on Dawn Wall ($4.80) when he stuck to the fence on the soft track and gathered in the leader Lubiton ($3.30 favourite) is the last fifty metres to record a half a length win.

Corey Brown also brought Faraway Town ($6) from back in the field after missing the start to fill third spot.

Glyn Schofield set the pace on Lubiton but the Bjorn Baker trained filly wasn’t able to hold off the strong finish of Dawn Wall who was also in the field for the Group 2 $200,000 Cellarbrations Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday but obviously won’t run there now.

“Bit of an awkward draw. Chris and the Team just left it up to me to work it out and after a furlong she was able to come back and save ground around the corner there,” McEvoy said.

“They rolled along nicely and I had that horse that would pick up and continue into the race from the 600m and she done it quite nice.”

“I had a nice one to run down in Lubiton but it took me the whole length of the straight to get to her.”

“My filly did it nicely. She just keeps winning, she has a good attitude.”

Even though Waller dropped Dawn Wall back to the 1600m after winning over 1800m at Rosehill last start, McEvoy is confident the Fastnet Rock filly will be able to handle 2000m.

“You would think so. It is always a question mark until you do it,” McEvoy said.

Stable representative Charlie Duckworth agrees with McEvoy and can see Dawn Wall excelling as she steps up in distance.

“Sure she got all the favours coming up the rails by she did a good effort coming from last up the straight,” Duckworth said.

“She a little beauty and will  get over a  lot more distance than today, after winning over 1800m last start and is in for a great Autumn.”

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.