Evans' Unexpected Christmas Gift?

THERE wasn’t anyone more surprised with Femme Folle’s boilover victory in the fourth and final heat of the Group 3 Ladbrokes Christmas Gift (520m) at Wentworth Park on Saturday night than her rookie trainer, accomplished Queensland jockey, Nathan Evans.

THERE wasn't anyone more surprised with Femme Folle's boilover victory in the fourth and final heat of the Group 3 Ladbrokes Christmas Gift (520m) at Wentworth Park on Saturday night than her rookie trainer, accomplished Queensland jockey, Nathan Evans.

"I've always wanted to race a dog at Wentworth Park and with some of the better dogs racing in Brisbane for the Cup I thought it might be a good week to go," said Evans on the way to Dalby races Tuesday, where he had a modest ride in race four.

"When I saw the draw and that she'd come up with box five I had a few of my mates asking me if I was still going to go but I didn't really take her with the idea of winning, it was more for the experience and to say I'd raced a dog at Wentworth Park – it's something I'd always wanted to do."

Holding a trainers license now for the best part of three years, Evans, who shares his passion for training greyhounds with his full-time work as chief track rider for successful Queensland trainer Ben Currie, is in the ownership of Femme Folle with fellow jockey, Emma Ljung.

"A few years back we'd been talking to Tom Tzouvelis about buying a pup and he called one day to say he had this litter he'd bred so Emma and I went and picked one out at about 4-5 weeks old," recalled Evans.

"We'd drop in every few weeks to check in and have a play with her and as she got a bit older she started to get a bit crazy and silly and that's where the name came from with Femme Folle meaning crazy woman in French. She broke in well and in February was the fastest heat winner of the Vince Curry at Ipswich, she's always been able to run."

With just a handful of chasers under his belt as a trainer, predominantly giveaways, Evans assumed training responsibilities of Femme Folle midway through this year, with the sentiment that the daughter of Magic Sprite and Miss Lauryn would be better served by a smaller kennel and relaxed environment.

"She had a fall at Albion Park back in April and lost a lot of confidence after that," said Evans.

"Here at home she's pretty much like part of the family and gets spoilt by everyone, she really responds to that. I couldn't believe it when she jumped in front on Saturday night but when she did I knew they'd have trouble running her down as she's pretty strong. I drove down the Friday last week and stayed overnight at Gloucester and I'll do the same again this week. She travelled great, I hardly even knew she was there, she's just so easy going and relaxed."

Adding even further interest to the prospect of Evans securing his maiden Group race win this Saturday is the fact it wasn't until after he'd won Saturday night that he even knew he was in the Christmas Gift Series.

"After the race on Saturday a few trainers said to me she'd improve with the look (at the track) heading into next week and I said to them why, what's next week?" declared Evans.

"It wasn't until then I even knew she was in one of the heats so yes it would be incredible if it worked out and she won the way it's all come about!"

Femme Folle, winner of her heat in 29.97, has been installed a $5.50 third elect in betting, with $2.80 favourite for the $25,000 to-the-winner final the Jason Magri-trained Zipping Mitzy (box 6), wedged between the pair Modus Operandi (box 1) and Nangar Blaze (box 2) at $4.00 apiece.

"Maybe it's more my horse background coming through but I put her performance down to the trip away and change of scenery," said Evans.

"Sometimes a change in routine can be really good for their mind and I reckon that's what's sparked her up on the weekend – there was no one more surprised than me, it was a great thrill. I've won six races with her now.

"I've been working for Ben (Currie) for about 10 years now and Femme Folle was the talk of Toowoomba races Saturday night – Ben and all my mates follow her and were pretty happy that she won like she did even though no one backed her.

"Hopefully it's the same again this week – she's pulled up great and is getting spoilt at home – just like she always does!"

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