Imported stayer Nearco Frod is set to vie for a fifth consecutive victory and a coveted spot in the Melbourne Cup when he competes at Flemington.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained gelding will contest the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) this Saturday, a race that offers a ballot exemption into the prestigious Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Nearco Frod commenced his racing career in France, securing two wins from three starts before making the move to the McEvoys in Australia.
Despite a gradual start in his new environment, the now fully acclimatised gelding has achieved four wins on the bounce from his 13 career outings.
This impressive streak began with a victory at Sandown on July 1, followed by another win at the same track two weeks later.
Nearco Frod then progressed to Flemington, providing Blake Shinn with a winner on his first ride back from injury on August 1, before returning to the winner’s circle at Sandown on August 22.
Calvin McEvoy confessed that Nearco Frod had been a ‘real suprise’ to the stable.
“It just shows that you need to have some patience with these imports and to win five in a row is very difficult for any horse,” McEvoy stated.
“He’s very fit and we keep him happy at home.
“He’s bouncing around and I can’t see any reason why he can’t put up another good performance and it would be very exciting for connections to win that Golden Ticket.”
Comparisons are inevitably drawn to stablemate Half Yours, who progressed through the grades to claim both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups last year.
McEvoy highlighted the necessity of keeping European stayers in regular work.
“You have to keep these horses up,” McEvoy commented.
“I wouldn’t have thought he would get four in a row to be honest.
“He’s not an overly big horse, but he’s very fit, great lungs, which allows us to not overtax him in training.
“That is an asset in a stayer that will get them a long way and it prolong preparations, and if he happened to get a Golden Ticket, of course we would give him the opportunity.”
For those keen on the Archer Stakes, exploring the latest Australian betting sites could provide valuable insights into the odds.