Father-and-son training partners Tony and Calvin McEvoy are the only stable with multiple runners in the Group 1 Goodwood at Morphettville.
The Goodwood field maybe small but as Tony McEvoy noted full of quality as the trainer looks to land his second victory, this time with son Calvin.
The father-and-son training combination is the only stable with multiple runners in the Group 1 1200m sprint at Morphettville on Saturday, represented by Savatoxl, Pretty Brazen and Dollar For Dollar.
When Savatoxl first arrived in the stable after racing in Alice Springs and Darwin, The Goodwood was the furthest race from McEvoy senior’s mind, until successful in the D C McKay Stakes (1100m) last start.
“He really impressed me in that traditional lead-up race and beat a good quality field, and beat them convincingly,” McEvoy said.
“His 1200-metre form is excellent, his Morphettville form is excellent and he seems to be right at the top of his game.
“This is another step going to the elite level, which I respect, but he deserves his opportunity.”
Pretty Brazen showed with her last start fourth in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) that she too is in the right frame of mind for Saturday’s race.
That latest effort followed a near last finish in the Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.
“The start before was pilot error and Luke (Currie) put his hand up and said ‘sorry guys’,” McEvoy said.
“I thought her run the other day was good and the smaller field and potentially more speed will help her.”
McEvoy said there were excuses for Dollar For Dollar’s last start failure at Caulfied, when last in a field of five, and possibly the gelding’s worst performance.
Inflammation of the throat and mucus was discovered post-race and McEvoy said the gelding seems to have bounced back.
“He galloped with Gytrash at Murray Bridge last week. It was a beautiful piece of work and they got along really quickly,” McEvoy said.
“He’s an old warrior and has 54.5 kilos on his back. He hasn’t won since 2018 but he’s won $850,000 in prize money since and you don’t get that by running in ordinary races.”
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au