Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the training duo, are well aware of the potential a horse can demonstrate.

Last year, following a spell in the warmer climate of Queensland, Half Yours returned to secure victories in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Half Yours is once again slated for the Melbourne Cup, with a path through the Cox Plate. The father-and-son training team had also nominated him for the Caulfield Cup when entries closed earlier this week.

Also nominated for the Caulfield Cup from the McEvoy stable is Nearco Frod, who will be striving to extend his winning streak to four in the McMahon’s Dairy Handicap (2400m) at Sandown on Saturday.

Nearco Frod did not experience a similar ‘winter excursion’ to the Sunshine Coast; instead, he endured Melbourne’s chill, achieving wins on heavy tracks at Sandown on July 1 and July 15, followed by a victory over 2520m at Flemington on August 1.

Tony McEvoy stated that a start in the Caulfield Cup was the ultimate ambition, but Nearco Frod had not yet met the qualification criteria for the race.

The Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3 might represent a more achievable objective, considering the current plan is to target the Group 3 The Archer (2500m) at Flemington on September 12, following Saturday’s run.

The Archer offers the winner automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup.

“He’ll go to The Archer and then we’ll reassess where we are then,” McEvoy said.

“The Caulfield Cup, it is a big step, but we’ve put him in and he’s a handy little stayer.”

“We saw last year where they can come from, but at this stage we’re thinking Saturday and then into The Archer.”

Craig Williams will resume riding Nearco Frod on Saturday, having guided the stayer to consecutive wins at Sandown.

Nearco Frod was the horse that provided Blake Shinn with his first win since returning from injury, achieving success at Flemington in his most recent start. Finding the best racing odds for this promising stayer is key to a successful punt.