Trainer Tony McEvoy is aiming to get Iconic back to Group 1 company after the four year old scored a first-up win in the in the Listed $120,000 1Print Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley today.
Iconic, red and white, beats Angels Beach, pink, in a tight finish in the Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Today’s win was Iconic’s fourth from thirteen starts and his first since winning a three year old race over 1000mat Caulfield last September.
But along the way Iconic finished second to Lankan Rupee in the Group 2 $175,000 Schweppes Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on February 8 which tempted McEvoy to test the Bel Esprit gelding at the top level.
But Iconic was always near the tail of the field and was a well beaten fourteenth to Lankan Rupee again in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22.
“I ran him in the Group 1 last year because I thought that he was close. Might have improved a touch so maybe he will get his chance this time,” McEvoy said.
“I’ll bring him back for the Group 2 McEwen in a fortnight. 1000m and the 1100m is his go. Anything further than that he gets a little keen in the run but you never know.”
Another win for Iconic on the Moonee Valley track in the Group 2 $200,000 Mitty’s McEwen Stakes (1000m) on September 6 could again tempt McEvoy to take on Group 1 company in the $450,000 Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 26.
Iconic has a terrific fresh record and proved that again today having his first run back after finishing fifth over 1200m at Moonee Valley in March.
“He just had one trial coming into it and I was touch nervous about that,” McEvoy said.
“Nick came out really confident. He thought the race mapped out really well for the horse and he wanted to be a little bit positive that I wanted to be.”
“And the beauty of having these good jocks you listen to them and they get it right sometimes.”
Hall let Iconic ($10) settle midfield in the early stages of the race and came with a sweeping run just prior to the home turn and was able to get the judge’s nod over the Peter Moody trained Angels Beach ($6) in a tight finish.
Angelic Light ($18) from the Robbie Griffiths stable also ran on hard late to fill third spot.
