The Group III Molecomb Stakes (5f) for two year-olds at Goodwood was won by the favourite Big Evs, backing up from a Listed win at Royal Ascot to become the first Group winner for his sire Blue Point (IRE).
Trained by Michael Appleby and ridden by Jason Hart, Big Evs was tenacious to the line winning by a neck and holds entries for further upcoming Group races.
“Big Evs has done that very well. I don't think he really liked the ground. He's tough as anything and very quick, that ground just blunted his speed a bit early on, but because he's so tough, he pulled a bit more out at the end,” said his trainer.
“I think the Nunthorpe (G1 against older sprinters) is a realistic target. A two-year-old hasn't won it I don't think since Kingsgate Native. So yeah, it's a possibility. We will speak even more when we've all calmed down a bit.”
Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock, Big Evs was a 50,000 guinea purchase from the Tattersalls October Book 2 Yearling Sale for Michael Cleere and runs for RP Racing.
He is the best of four winners from Hana Lina, a placed half-sister to Group III winner Lady of the Desert (dam of Group II winner Queen Kindly) from Group I winner Queen’s Logic. It’s a top class family that also features European Horse of the Year Dylan Thomas and Group I winners Homecoming Queen, Shale and Serpentine.
Big Evs is one of three stakes-winners among 23 winners for Blue Point and is his first Group winner.
Blue Point returns to Darley Victoria this spring at a fee of $44,000 and will have his first runners here this season.
