CHEVALIER BACK IN WINNING LIST - AND EASILY

Image: Bradley Photos

TUESDAY: November 12, 2024: A promise made is a promise kept!

Hawkesbury trainer Marc Chevalier was naturally pleased to be back in the winning list at home today, and especially for a former workmate Glen Latham.

Chevalier won his second race of the season when Without You ($19) made light of her double figure odds by bolting home with the Pioneer Services Class 1 Handicap (1500m).

Ridden by Louis Beuezelin, the four-year-old mare scored by more than three lengths from fellow Hawkesbury trainer Darryll Kell’s Mahogany Girl ($6), and Kembla Grange trainer Ross McConville’s $1.95 favorite C’mon Mate.

After racing wide early and without cover, Without You was allowed to stride forward and take up the running near the 1000m, and thereafter was never really threatened.

Chevalier and Latham worked together at Rosehill Gardens some years back with trainer Gary Moore; Chevalier as assistant trainer and Latham was racing manager.

“Glen promised he would give me a horse when I took out my own licence,” Chevalier said.

“He was true to his word, and it was great to win another race for he and his fellow owners with this mare.”

Latham, under his Rathden Bloodstock Services banner, paid only $5000 for the daughter of Sepoy as a weanling.

Without You didn’t race as a two-year-old, and broke through at her fifth start in a Provincial Maiden Plate (1600m) at the Newcastle Stakes meeting in March.

Unfortunately a breathing issue was discovered after she was unplaced at her next run, also at Newcastle, 13 days later.

“Without You had a tie-back operation, and that’s why it has taken time to get her back to the races,” Chevalier explained.

“This was her fourth start back and, whilst I expected her to race well, I wasn’t confident she could beat the favorite (C’mon Mate), who had finished in front of her the last time they met at Hawkesbury on October 24.

“Still she is a big mare and has needed racing to get back to peak fitness.

“I’m sure there is further improvement in her as I have always considered she has above average ability.

“Considering the manner in which she won, I’m looking forward to finding another suitable race for her in the coming weeks.”

Without You was Chevalier’s 18th career success; his first this season being Brooklyn Dash at Newcastle on August 15.

“We’re building up again, and I would be pleased to hear from any owner keen to give me a horse to train as we have enough room to accommodate them,.” Chevalier said.