McEvoy strikes again with All American

Friday, 7 December 2018 | Trainer Tony McEvoy will set his All American filly Despacito for a city campaign after an easy kill at Kyneton on Thursday.

Heavily backed into an even-money favourite, Despacito was taken back to near last by Luke Currie after drawing wide in the Kyneton Electrics Maiden Plate (1450m).  She was set alight approaching the corner and finished powerfully to win well.

“We thought she might be able to settle a few spots closer but Luke had to go to Plan B,” stable foreman Michael Shepherdson explained.  “She’s starting to put it together and today’s win will be a confidence-booster.”

McEvoy’s first All American winner this season was his 3yo sprinter Crockett who blitzed a Flemington field in August.

Despacito (3f All American - Balsamico by Redoute's Choice) cost Edinburgh Park owner Ian Smith $67,500 as a foal from Woodside Park at the 2016 Magic Millions National Sale.  She is a half-sister to G1 Blue Diamond Stakes placegetter Masthead (Written Tycoon) and the dam of G3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes winner Written Dash (Written Tycoon).

“She would have been trapped wide if I went forward so I opted to go back,” Currie said.  “It’s a tight track and I needed to get going before the turn to give her a winning chance.  

“She will make it in town and Tony will place her to advantage.  I also think as she strengthens up she will get further.”

All American stands at Geisel Park Stud and among his first WA-bred yearlings entered for the Perth Magic Millions is the colt from Miss Begotten (Lot 246).  Offered by Rangeview Stud as agent for Serpentine breeder Jade Fletcher, he’s bred on the same Redoute’s Choice cross as Despacito.

The pedigree received another update when Alan Matthews produced his 3yo half-sister Forgotten Star (Star Witness) to win a Northam maiden second time out on November 28.

Geisel Park manager Conor Dunlop reports All American has Buchanan Girl in foal off an October 24 cover at Myalup.  The foal will be a full relation to Dark Dream who was sold to Hong Kong after winning the G1 Queensland Derby in June.

Breeder Mary-Jane Basson sent the mare to WA and she was bred back to All American after delivering a Shamus Award filly in September.

Hoofnote:  Despacito is named after the most-streamed song of all time by Puerto Ricans Luis Fonsi and reggaeton rapper Daddy Yankee.  The English version by Justin Bieber has received 245 million views on You Tube.