The training powerhouse that is McEvoy Mitchell Racing celebrated its 10th anniversary in style last Saturday with a treble at Murray Bridge.
The company was formed a decade ago between trainer Tony McEvoy and business partner Wayne Mitchell, with McEvoy’s son Calvin appointed co-trainer at the start of this season.
With bases at Angaston and Flemington, the McEvoys appear to have this season’s Adelaide premiership sewn up, with last Saturday’s treble taking them to 44 wins, six clear of Phillip Stokes.
Their first winner at the Bridge was a popular one, when three-year-old Brazen Beau gelding Hypersonic ($1.70 favourite) finished strongly from midfield under Barend Vorster in the 900-metre maiden plate.
The McEvoys landed the middle pin of their treble when Winning Partner ($9) came from the back half of the field to take out the benchmark 82 handicap over 1200 metres, completing a double for Vorster.
The McEvoys completed a productive day when Blow Torch ($3.50 favourite) brought up his third win from 17 starts in the 1600-metre benchmark 58 handicap.
Blow Torch’s win completed a double for Victorian apprentice Jess Eaton, who completed her COVID quarantine at a bed-and-breakfast at Mount Gambier at midnight on Thursday before driving to Murray Bridge in time for trackwork on Friday morning.
Earlier, Eaton came from the back of the field to win on Rebel Raider gelding Super Striker ($3.90) for co-trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas a win in the $100,000 Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Plate (1200m).
After training the quinella in that race, Macdonald said both Super Striker and runner-up Another Award would head to the listed Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday week. 
Eaton, who is due to complete her apprenticeship next March, has come to SA seeking greater opportunity and will be based at Murray Bridge with Michael Hickmott.
She claims 2kg in town and can ride at 50kg.
Although Eaton Is stationed at Murray Bridge she is hoping to get to Morphettville at least once a week to ride trackwork.
Calypso coup
Goolwa horseman David Jolly was all smiles after the success of Barbados gelding Calypso Reign ($4.40) in the $100,000 Carlton Draught Three-Year-Old  Plate for SABOIS-qualified horses over 1200 metres at the Bridge.
Having the services of Kayla Crowther, Calypso Reign powered home from last with a strong run from the top of the straight.
Jolly says he has two options for the gelding — a 1200-metre event at Flemington on July 18 or the listed $100,000 Lightning Stakes for two- and three-year-olds on the Parks track at Morphettville on July 25. 
Handsome success
Congratulations to trainer Will Clarken and apprentice Margaret Collett after Handsome Return ($3) led nearly all the way to win the 2300-metre City of Port Augusta Cup last Sunday.
Sairyn Fawke took the riding honours with a double, winning on the Darren Magro-trained Rockatansky ($9) and the Kylie McKerlie-prepared Pandeia ($5.50).
Good to be back
Australian Bookmakers Association president Warren Barrington said he was well pleased with the response of punters when bookmakers returned to the tracks at Murray Bridge and Port Augusta last weekend.

Kayla cruising

Kayla Crowther is closing in on 100 winners for the season after landing a double at Naracoorte on Wednesday.
Joining forces with trainer/clerk of course Heather Lehmann, Crowther opened her account when It’s Magic ($6.50) won a maiden plate of 1430 metres. Her second winner was the James Dodgson-trained Territory Titan ($1.90 favourite) in a benchmark 66 over the same trip 1430 metres.
Wednesday’s wins took Crowther to 95 for 2019/20, well ahead of her previous career best — 79 in 2017/18.
Later on the program, Jess Eaton brought up her third winner since relocating to SA when she joined forces with Warrnambool trainer Daniel Bowman in the last-stride win of Crowned Lizzie ($7) in the 1200-metre benchmark 68.