The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Now trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy after starting her career with the Clarken / Macgillivray training partnership, Steel Trap failed to fire first up in the Listed VRC Cap D’Antibes Stakes at Flemington last month, but dropped back in class today scored a confidence building win.
Ridden by Luke Currie, she scored a tenacious long neck win over another quality filly Sneaky Sunrise in the Benchmark 74 event over 1400m.
“It was good to see her return to form as her last run was a bit below the standard for her, but today she went down in grade and it will give her some confidence,” said Currie.
After that disappointing last start, the McEvoys elected to put blinkers on the filly and step her out in distance and it proved a winning move.
“We were dumbfounded after that run and we just had to trust that up in trip and round a bend would see her previous form,” said Calvin McEvoy.
“Blinkers on and Luke gave her a lovely ride and she built beautifully to the line so I think she will love a trip, maybe even 2000m in time.
“I’d like to thank the team at Yulong for entrusting her to us. She’s already a Group winner and we would like to get her back to that level.”
Steel Trap has three wins and two placings from seven starts with earnings topping $217,000.
A $30,000 Magic Millions Adelaide purchase for Angas River Contractors Pty Ltd from the Phoenix Broodmare Farm draft, Steel Trap is the first foal of Lochita, a winning Lonhro grand-daughter of dual Group I winner Arborea.
Lochita produced another colt by King’s Legacy last year that was sold as a weanling this year at Magic Millions National for $30,000 to Mattmartin Global Pty Ltd.
Steel Trap is the fifth winner this season for King’s Legacy, who stands at a fee of $16,500 this spring at Coolmore.
