It’s not hard for Sir Ravanelli to stand out given his near-white coat these days and bulky frame, but Tuncurry trainer Terry Evans knows it will take more than flashy looks for him to reach his ultimate target.
Like any trainer of a quality country sprinter, Evans dreams of Sir Ravanelli running in The Kosciuszko, and nothing will grab the attention like results on the track for the pride of Tuncurry.
Sir Ravaneill stretches out to charge to victory at Newcastle last month.Credit: Getty Images
That’s what made his storming win to close The Coast meeting at Newcastle last month so crucial. It was the son of Iffraaj’s eighth victory in list that includes a Country Championships qualifier and Jacaranda Cup at Grafton, but it was the most important.
“I have a mate that runs the Tuncurry Bowling Club and when he won at Newcastle he said it was like grand final day,” Evans said. “They all backed him. It was some win, and it’s what he is capable of.
“There is something about a horse like him in a place like Tuncurry; everyone thinks they have a part of him. If we can get him to the Kosciuszko, he will have the whole town behind him.
“Last time I had one like him, we did flyers for the pubs and clubs in town to let everyone know we had a horse trying to get into the Kosciuszko, just in case someone won a slot.
“We are planning to do the same again, but I think everyone will know who he is if he can win on Saturday.”
Evans has placed Sir Ravanelli very well to have him still in benchmark 78 company after eight wins from 21 starts, and if he can add a ninth victory on Saturday he could head to the Ramornie Handicap.
“I would love to get to the Grafton carnival and to run in the Ramornie would be great, but he has to win to get a run in it,” Evans said.