Sometimes it’s the horses that nobody expects anything of that do the things nobody can expect.
Calvin McEvoy is certainly hoping it’s the case with surprise packet Moana Spirit, who will attempt to maintain the unbeaten start to her career in Saturday’s Geelong 2YO Diamond.
The Melbourne Cup-winning trainer thought the daughter of Tagaloa might need a little more education at the jump-outs prior to her debut but the stable made a last minute decision to accept for a race in Adelaide when the field came up light on numbers.
She duly saluted by two lengths and, since returning to Ballarat, she has continued to improve, so much so that McEvoy is bullish she can win again on Saturday.
“She’s a very nice filly,” McEvoy said.
“I thought she’d need another trial because she was still so raw and green and didn’t really know what she was doing.”
“But it (trip to Adelaide) has been the making of her, she’s really turned the corner and grown up.”
“I’m not saying I didn’t like her but my opinion of her has grown since the race in Adelaide.”
“She’s had a tick over trial between runs and I thought she was very good so I think she’ll be hard to beat on Saturday in what looks a pretty strong race.”
The winner of the Geelong Diamond is exempt from the ballot for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes.
⚜ New 2YO winner for #Tagaloa 💎
Yulong-bred & -owned filly Moana Spirit (ex Chaminade) rushes to the finish to score victory on debut for @mcevoymitchell at @SAJockeyClub.#aworldofopportunity pic.twitter.com/yVvsxpX6cw
— Yulong Investments (@YulongInvest) December 6, 2025
