Graham Fischer

RACEHORSE Chevite is proving to be the gift that keeps on giving for trainer Michael McClean.
On Sunday, Chevite ($10), ridden by Sairyn Fawke, gave a bold front running display in the Specsavers Gawler Benchmark 54 Handicap over 1100m.
The four-year-old won by one-and-a-quarter lengths from Panzer Princess ($3.50 favourite) with Dynastic ($21), a half-length away third.
McClean, who lives in Mallala but trains his horses at Gawler, said Chevite had been a giveaway.
“He was raced by Morphettville trainers Trevor Dansie and Natasha Storr, and won a race in town early in his career,” McClean said.
“However, he lost a bit of form and I spoke with Trevor about him. He said turn up at my stable tomorrow with a float and you can have him – and I jumped at the opportunity.
“We gave him a wind operation, but it is only now that I believe we have worked him out.
“I think the trick is to keep him fresh and race him on tracks with a bit of give in them. There is no doubt he doesn’t like the hard tracks.”
McClean said the new Gawler equine pool had been a welcome bonus.
“I don’t over gallop him but mix in swimming and he loves it,” he said.
The Sunday meeting was the last of the 2019-2020 season for the Gawler and Barossa Jockey Club.
Murray Bridge trainer Grant Young was named top trainer for the second season in a row, beating the powerhouse combination of Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
In the jockey competition, Todd Pannell went into the meeting with a four-point lead over Jason Holder.
Holder rode the second place-getter Arctic Flora in the opening race to get within two points, but neither jockey could ride another, with Pannell holding onto the crown.
The next meeting at Gawler will be on Wednesday, August 5.