Tony and Calvin McEvoy will have a runner in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) after Half Yours stormed to victory in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
Sent out a $2.60 favourite under Jamie Melham, the gelding surged clear to win by 3½ lengths from Berkshire Breeze ($12), with outsider Grand Pierro ($71) grabbing third. The result secured him a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup on October 18.
The McEvoys had originally targeted Sydney and the Group 1 The Metropolitan, but with Half Yours only an emergency, they opted to switch south.
“Dad and I tossed up what to do … at the last minute decided to accept here,” Calvin McEvoy said. “Look, he’s in the Caulfield Cup now, he’s proven on a good track, so I think we’ll be all systems go.”
A Listed Caloundra Cup winner over 2400m, Half Yours has wintered in Queensland and McEvoy is confident he is fit enough to handle the Cup distance.