The six-year-old has his second run since a two-month break in the Yarraman Park Handicap (1100m) and a breakthrough city win in his next few starts will put the listed Ramornie Handicap,run in July in the state’s north,on the agenda.
Evans was rapt with Sir Ravanelli’s first-up third behind dashing winner No Statement over 1000m at Wyong last month and the potential for a soft track is a plus.
“I’m sure he’s going to pick one up,even a Saturday race in town,but everything’s got to go right for him,” Evans said.
“He’s a big kid but he’s racing really tractably now and enjoying himself.
“We’ll see how we go for a couple of runs,we’d definitely head to Grafton. That’d be the long-range plan.”
Sir Ravanelli started his spring preparation with successive wins at Grafton and Evans has been encouraged by his performances in benchmark 78 grade before a short let-up.
He engaged in a speed battle at Randwick just prior to Christmas before running third behind Robusto a few weeks later and was flushed out wide well before the turn at Rosehill when fourth to Union Army.
“He was a bit unlucky not to win at Randwick when he ran third and all the form out of that race is really good,not much went his way at Rosehill,” Evans said.
“You’ve only got to look at his form,he’s usually not far out of the placings.”
With regular jockey Darryl McLellan out suspended,Evans had no hesitation in locking Nash Rawiller in for the ride at Canterbury and is confident the gelding will respond to his style.
“When Digger was suspended we had to try someone else so we might as well go straight to the top,” he said.
“He’s a bit of a funny horse to ride,even though he’s six he’s still a bit immature in the brain. I’m sure Nash will do a good job.”
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