The Turnbull Stakes is poised to be a significant indicator for the racing future of Half Yours, according to trainer Tony McEvoy.
McEvoy is eager to see his charge demonstrate its credentials as a genuine Cox Plate contender this Saturday at Flemington.
Potential rivals for Half Yours in the 2000-metre Turnbull Stakes include Sir Delius, Birdman, and Aeliana, who are currently the top three in Cox Plate betting. McEvoy views this race as the ideal platform for Half Yours to prove its mettle at the elite level.
“That’s what we’re hoping and that’s what his work’s telling us,” McEvoy stated.
“The Turnbull is in the fork in the road for him.
“I don’t want to run him in a Cox Plate if he can’t win a Cox Plate, but if he matches it with them in the Turnbull, he’ll go to the Cox Plate.”
Alternatively, Half Yours could target the $6 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), a race he secured last year and for which he has been assigned 57.5kg this year.
Despite not having won since his Melbourne Cup triumph last year, Half Yours’ sole start this campaign saw him finish sixth in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on September 12. However, he was the standout performer in terms of sections during that race.
He finished 4.65 lengths behind the winner, Sheza Alibi, but was only three-quarters-of-a-length adrift of Sir Delius, the first horse past the post in the Makybe Diva Stakes and a competitor in the Turnbull Stakes.
Half Yours commenced from the widest barrier in the 10-horse field for the Makybe Diva Stakes, continuing a pattern of wide draws. McEvoy is particularly keen to see a more favourable barrier position for him this week.
“He hasn’t drawn a gate for a long time and we’ve been forced to go back,” he explained.
“He can sit three or four lengths closer in a race, if we draw well. He’s due to draw a gate.
“He’s got to tick the 2000-metre box at this level. He’s an elite stayer, but we’ve kept him nice and sharp with just that one mile race coming into this and I think he’ll run really well.”
Punters are keen to see how Half Yours performs this Saturday, with many looking to back him with leading Australian betting sites.