Half Yours to test class in the 2025 Turnbull Stakes
Calvin McEvoy admits the campaign for Half Yours didn’t go exactly to script, but the stayer now finds himself on track for both the Turnbull Stakes and the Caulfield Cup after a timely victory in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m).
The horse had initially been prepared for Sydney’s The Metropolitan (2400m), but when he failed to secure a spot in the Kingston Town Stakes, the team elected to chase the Caulfield option. That decision paid off with Half Yours winning at Caulfield and gaining ballot exemption for the $5 million Caulfield Cup, where he now sits as favourite.
“We were on the cusp of both the Kingston Town and the Naturalism and having a lowish rated horse going into the spring, we thought he would be fine going on previous years, but there must be a little more depth this year,” McEvoy said. “It was a relief when we made the call to come to Melbourne and got into the race as he needed to win that race to get into the Caulfield Cup.”
Half Yours now steps into elite company in the Turnbull, but McEvoy is encouraged by a good barrier and the horse’s fitness.
“We’ve got the favourite for the Cox Plate, the favourite for the Melbourne Cup, the best 2000-metre weight-for-age horse in the country, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he runs against them,” McEvoy said. “We don’t expect him to win, but we just want to see him run well and hit the line strongly.”
Skipping the Turnbull and going straight into the Caulfield Cup was briefly considered, but history convinced the stable otherwise. Horses like Duke De Sessa, Incentivise and Verry Elleegant all used the Turnbull as a springboard to Cup success.
“My heart says it would have been fine for him, but a month between runs into a high-pressure contest would have been a risk,” McEvoy said. “The Turnbull has been a proven path and that’s why we’re here.”
For those looking to back Half Yours in either the Turnbull Stakes or Caulfield Cup, Australia’s leading betting sites and best-value online bookmakers have full markets available.
More Racing News
All-Star Mile next for Sabaj following blood test setback
Sabaj, under the care of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, faces a puzzling field in the All-Star Mile with Pride Of Jenni taking part.Saturday's All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington is now the primary target for Sabaj, who skipped last week's Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington due to unsatisfactory blood...
Baraqiel to trial blinkers for Newmarket Handicap push
Baraqiel faces an uphill battle with the weights in pursuit of success in one of the nation's premier short-distance contests, the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.Post-1973 metric weight implementation, merely three runners have prevailed in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) carrying more than 57.5kg, with the race set for Saturday.In...
Green Spaces earns Rachel King's trust for Randwick Guineas tilt
Returning from a triumphant riding spell in Japan, Rachel King has her eyes set on the Sydney autumn series, with a key engagement aboard the inexperienced three-year-old gelding Green Spaces in the Randwick Guineas.The esteem in which King views the Bjorn Baker stable's charge prompted her to jet in from...
Fortunes due to improve for backmarker Bauhinia
Bauhinia, known for settling towards the rear naturally, has often lacked the rub of the green in her races.Co-trainer Lee Curtis expects the mare to see her luck change for the better over autumn, kicking off in Saturday's Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) at Randwick."Her work has been as good as...
Gibbons lands timely Linebacker mount after Rosehill breakthrough
An ordinary benchmark contest at Rosehill back in July evolved into a career highlight for Dylan Gibbons, setting him up to steer star performer Linebacker in the Group One Canterbury Stakes.The promising jockey, mere months removed from shoulder surgery, had steered Good Banter to victory in that midwinter feature.Post-race, he...
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...