A year after achieving their training ambition with Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, Tony and Calvin McEvoy are hoping for similar success on Cup Day, albeit in a support race, with their charge No Fuss in the Channel 9 Trophy over 1400 metres.

The now six-year-old gelding, initially placed third in his New Zealand debut in March 2024, was acquired by the stable in partnership with OTI Racing. His impressive streak of four consecutive Victorian victories concluded in April 2025 due to a tendon injury that necessitated a prolonged absence from racing.

“Sadly he bowed his tendon though it wasn’t a nasty one but we had to be careful,” Tony McEvoy stated. “In the levels of a bowed tendon, it was very light but we treated it like it was serious and gave him the time. We’ve had a really good result in it and the horse is confident in his action.”

No Fuss has participated in two trials recently, securing a win in his most recent outing at Flemington over 1000 metres.

“He has trialled up nicely and I am hoping that he’s a bit older now and hope he is still as sharp because he is a horse we’re really looking to get over further trips. We had to take small steps, platform training, and get him to a level and hold on that level before then going to the next level. We feel the team have done a great job with him.”

No Fuss, who has shown a consistent rise in Racing and Sports ratings throughout his career, reached a peak rating of 102 in his last Flemington victory over 1800 metres, a performance suggesting further potential for the gelding. In what is anticipated to be a competitive race, No Fuss faces Buccleuch, a rival who has won three of his last four starts.