Moonee Valley Vase the ideal 2025 Victoria Derby option
Fresh off their Caulfield Cup success with Half Yours, Tony and Calvin McEvoy are chasing further spring riches with a two-pronged assault on Flemington’s major races. Half Yours is on a path to the $8 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 4, while emerging colt Options will be the stable’s hopeful in the $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m) three days earlier.
Before that, Options will contest the Group 2 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley, his final tune-up before the Derby. The Godolphin-owned colt joined the McEvoys at the start of the season and has made an immediate impact, winning his first two starts at Echuca and Bendigo, finishing third in the Victoria Derby Preview, and then storming home to win the Listed Super Impose Stakes at Flemington.
The team considered a start in the Caulfield Classic (2000m) last weekend but opted to stay patient. “We’ve always loved the idea of the back-up,” Calvin McEvoy said. “We accepted last week, but it was always 30-70 about running. I don’t think the 2500 metres will be a problem. (Sire) Impending suggests (he won’t stay) not, but his dam side is very stout and everything about the horse suggests he will stay. He’s been very strong at the end of all his races, so we’ll see how he goes on Saturday.”
Options had a course familiarisation at Moonee Valley during Breakfast With The Best on Tuesday, and McEvoy said the experience would only benefit him. “I think he will be alright on Saturday,” McEvoy said. “He got around there OK on Tuesday and now that he’s been there, I think he will be better next time around. It’s all systems go for Saturday and then hopefully back up into the Derby.”
Regular jockey Harry Coffey will again take the ride, having partnered the colt in all his previous outings. Coffey skipped Tuesday’s work due to the birth of his daughter but will return to the saddle for race day duties.
Fans can follow the latest updates and betting markets for the Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup at Australia’s best betting sites.
More Racing News
Mr Racing to benefit from Wiggins' dynamic riding at Ipswich
The jockey Ryan Wiggins exemplifies the 'have saddle, will travel' mindset, regularly journeying multiple times along Queensland's east coast in any given week.Part of his plans this week involves partnering David Vandyke's Mr Racing at Ipswich as the gelding seeks a breakthrough win after placing third in his initial run...
Godolphin hopeful Green Spaces repeats spring feat in Rosehill Guineas
The lightly raced Green Spaces, a three-year-old, secured his career-best win third-up in spring, and his stable is targeting the same preparation blueprint ahead of the Rosehill Guineas.Godolphin's colt dominated by three lengths in November's Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle, after which trainer Bjorn Baker sent him for...
Savitri set for stakes progression says Freedman
Mitch Freedman, the Ballarat trainer, anticipates that filly Savitri will progress to Stakes grade in due course, but he's adopting a steady development plan with her currently.Interstate three-year-old Stakes events loom ahead, prompting Freedman to contemplate journeys away with Savitri post her dominant win in Wednesday's Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap (1500m)...
Peter Moody eyes Alpha Sofie recovery in Caulfield feature
Trainer Peter Moody holds strong belief that Alpha Sofie can regain her spark heading into her Stakes assignment at Caulfield.The $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on February 28 saw Alpha Sofie ruin her flawless slate for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman with a lacklustre display.Moody, after a complete...
Three-week gap perfect for Sir Delius ahead of Ranvet Stakes
Aeliana and Sir Delius are set to clash head-to-head in the Ranvet Stakes, as trainer Adrian Bott counts on the three-week interval since his last run to sharpen him up.Even with the previous ATC Australian Derby champion heavily backed for the 2000m Saturday feature, Sir Delius lingers as the distinct...
Autumn Glow could dominate Ryder Stakes says rival Charlton
In the event Autumn Glow shows up at Rosehill fully tuned, trainer Tom Charlton from the opposition admits the George Ryder Stakes is likely reduced to vying for supporting spots.That said, he doubts it would play out identically in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) should the high-class mare pivot there after...
Tough gate awaits Generosity in The Galaxy sprint
The barrier draw success Chris Waller enjoyed for the Golden Slipper fails to repeat in Group 1 The Galaxy, leaving his lone representative Generosity to launch from the widest stall.Catch The Glory, the first emergency, is the only one positioned further out, meaning Generosity takes the extreme outside draw of...
Price outlines Charm Stone plan for William Reid Stakes
No need to cue Mick Price on the assignment ahead for Charm Stone in her opening run back at Caulfield.Co-trainer Price feels a touch uneasy with Jimmysstar and Angel Capital entered in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m), but highlights her flawless training regimen for the Saturday assignment.The mare...
Bjorn Baker warming to Golden Slipper plan with fit colt Warwoven
Plan A never involved dispatching Warwoven to the Golden Slipper off a mere seven days' rest, but Sydney's predicted wet weather is making trainer Bjorn Baker more receptive to the idea.In recent times, two runners have captured the prize after a fast return, namely Kiamichi in 2019 along with Shinzo...
Star colt Observer ready for Rosehill Guineas bow
Victorian gallopers often falter when facing Sydney's unique racing demands across the Murray, but Ciaron Maher expects his top colt Observer to thrive there.This dual Group 1 champion heads into his Sydney first-up run during Saturday's $1 million Rosehill Guineas (2000m).The Ghaiyyath gelding travelled northward shortly following his Australian Guineas...