Aspect wins G3 Maribyrnong Plate on debut

Tony McEvoy considered Azazel his leading Maribyrnong Plate contender, but the trainer was pleasantly surprised as stablemate Aspect powered home to win the Group Three race on debut.

The McEvoy-trained Azazel was sent out the $4.20 favourite but McEvoy said the difference between the two stablemates in Saturday’s 1000m race for juveniles at Flemington was Aspect ($12) handled the straight track better.

Aspect got cover in behind runners before finishing strongly to defeat Cao Cao by 1-1/4 lengths with three quarters of a length to Debutant Stakes winner Wait For No One third.

Azazel, a debut winner at Moonee Valley two weeks earlier, was another half length away.

“Aspect had a lovely bit of cover and he’s got a beautiful extension of stride. He’s a quality colt and he’ll just get better as he gets older,”McEvoy said.

Aspect’s is sire is Pluck who won the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

McEvoy said the stablemates would be given a break and be aimed at either the Blue Diamond Stakes or Golden Slipper.

Aspect was ridden by the trainer’s nephew Kerrin McEvoy who continued a successful spring carnival which has been highlighted by his Melbourne Cup win on Almandin.

“He gave me a nice feel and did it quite cosily the last 100 yards,” Kerrin McEvoy said.

“There’s plenty of upside to him.”