McEvoy doesn’t Miss a beat aboard Freelove at Canterbury

Miss Freelove showed promising signs with a dominant front-running win at Canterbury, and trainer Peter Snowden is excited about where the filly might head next.

Sent out as the $2.60 favourite, the daughter of Tassort controlled the tempo under Kerrin McEvoy and sprinted clear in the Ole Kirk @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1100m), defeating Beechworth by 2-1/4 lengths.

“Watching the race, coming to the corner I thought, if she doesn’t find something here we’re in a little bit of trouble,” Snowden said. “She quickened nicely and Kerrin rated her well.”

McEvoy said she handled the wet conditions well, showing maturity after a green debut at Warwick Farm.

“Last time she hit the front and wandered a little bit. But today she was much better in that regard,” he said. “She did enjoy that ground.”

Snowden said her next target is still undecided but hinted there’s another good run to come this prep.

“I have always liked her. She is by a great stallion doing a great job, and they just keep improving,” he said. “She’s definitely one to follow.”

Later on the card, Big Red Tequila came from last to win the Drinkwise Plate (1100m), rewarding trainer Joe Pride’s confidence after a luckless debut.

“She was pretty unlucky at Wyong and finished off well,” Pride said. “She handles the wet, she’s a light filly, and it was a good performance.”

While not outlining a specific plan, Pride believes there’s more to come from the daughter of Shamus Award.

“She’s got a lot of upside and I think she’ll go through the grades nicely,” he said.