Heavily backed favourite Mount Olympus enjoyed a pleasant day out at Ballarat on Tuesday, barely breaking a sweat in a seven-length romp in a 1200m maiden on the synthetic track.
Ridden by Jamie Mott for Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the 2yo son of Invader jumped a length in front and was never headed.
With the chasing pack off the bit chasing on the home turn, Mount Olympus was allowed to cruise to the line, defeating the So You Think debutant Ruminate by seven lengths with another first starter, the Mikki Isle (JPN) filly Isle Of Mikkinos three-quarters of a length back in third.
Mount Olympus was the lone runner in the race with previous race experience, but it has not been plain sailing.
He fractured a pelvis on debut when last of eight in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington last October when solidly supported.
Off the scene for 38 weeks, the son of Invader was beaten less than a length behind Godolphin’s I Am Invincible colt Massira in over 1147m at Geelong.
“I’m happy to get the job done for Tony, Calvin and the team. He looked a good ride on paper and has a deal of ability,” Jamie Mott said.
“Seven lengths could have been ten because I never got to the bottom of him.
“He was impressive, and you could imagine he could go to something like a midweek at Sandown.”
A $100,000 pinhook for Lionrock Bloodstock/Bevan Smith Bloodstock/Ferguson Bloodstock from the Glastonbury Farms draft at the National Weanling Sale, Mount Olympus was a $150,000 buy for McEvoy Mitchell Racing / Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) when consigned by Bell River Thoroughbreds to the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Tony McEvoy revealed what attracted him to the Invader colt.
“He looked a speed horse with great muscle definition and a beautiful mover. Those are the things that get me every time,” he confided.
Mount Olympus is the third winner from five to race for the Listed Gibson Carmichael stakes winner Euryale (Lonhro), who was recently sold online for just $1,500.
Euryale is a half-sister to Group III placed Snippets mare Athena Lass, the dam of Newgate Farm’s flying Profiteer (Capitalist).
A brother to Mount Olympus fell short of his $100,000 reserve at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Euryale has a weanling colt by Earthlight (IRE) and missed last spring.
Mount Olympus is the second 2yo winner of the season for Invader, who is riding high through the deeds of his Group 1 winning daughter, Sunshine In Paris.
The handsome son of Snitzel stands at Aquis Farm for a fee of $11,000 in 2023.
