The Tony and Calvin McEvoy team is counting on a class drop to spark a resurgence for Veight.
The Grunt gelding, a Group 1 victor, hasn’t tasted success since the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) triumph at Rosehill nearly two years back.
After a recent Group 1 appearance, Veight heads to the $200,000 VOBIS Gold So Si Bon (1400m) at Caulfield this Saturday.
Veight faced challenges during the 2024 spring, underwent gelding and dealt with pneumonia, then had just a single start in 2025, coming home last in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.
Following another spell, Veight suffered a neck injury in a paddock mishap, scuttling any spring plans.
The McEvoy duo believed Veight was regaining his edge when the now five-year-old placed second on debut this prep in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham and third in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 7.
However, the training partnership was baffled when Veight trailed the field in the Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 21.
“We went over him thoroughly and he has no issues at all,” Calvin McEvoy said.
“The first two runs were good for the prep, but he had a tough run last time and put the white flag up early which was disappointing.
“We sent him back to Ballarat for a change of scenery and he’s down in grade on Saturday, so we’ll be looking for him to perform.”
Apart from his initial maiden victory at Pakenham in February 2023 and a run in the Golden Eagle the next year, Veight has raced exclusively at stakes grade across his 18-start record.
Carrying 61kg on Saturday, Veight gets Jackson Radley aboard with his 3kg apprentice allowance.
This marks the first occasion Veight will have an apprentice rider in a race.
“I’m not sure what’s happened there, but we’re able to use his claim,” McEvoy said.
“He’s got 58 (kg), so he’s in pretty well in off his best form.
“I expect him to bounce back, but if he doesn’t bounce back he might be looking after himself a little bit.”
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