Stokes scores $500,000 The Coast hit-and-run with Athanatos
Kerrin McEvoy needed only a fast look at Athanatos's past performances to realise he was on a livewire for the $500,000 The Coast, a hunch validated when the out-of-state runner displayed unbeatable finishing power.
Although new to the four-year-old, McEvoy noted the gelding's close fourth to Transatlantic, beaten under two lengths, in the Toorak Handicap (1600m) during last spring's carnival, reasoning that a similar showing would keep him in the mix.
"I was pretty confident when I got the booking and looked at his runs," McEvoy said.
"I gave 'Stokesy' (trainer Phillip Stokes) a call yesterday and he backed it up. He said, 'he's in good form'. "
"I got confidence out of the fact the last time he went to the mile was in the Toorak, and as we know it's a competitive handicap, a Group One, and he wasn't beaten far."
On Saturday from a central barrier, McEvoy tracked the pace with Athanatos ($11), and the gelding surged late to overpower leader Sarrismo ($2.90 fav) by one length.
Grand Omaha ($51) took third spot, just a half-neck farther back.
Speaking at Morphettville for the Goodwood races, Stokes noted that the group viewed the The Coast (1600m) at Gosford on Saturday as a strong indicator for their main objective, the Five Diamonds (1800m) in Sydney this year.
"Next prep we're going to aim up for that," Stokes told Racing And Sports.
"This was a big prizemoney race, and the owners will be wrapped.
"I'm getting a bit of a handle on Sydney now. It's something we want to explore more and have more of a presence up there, so it's important to identify horses to send up.
"He might be a horse we now have to look at Brisbane with."
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