McEvoy’s looking at 2025 Victoria Derby Options
Tony and Calvin McEvoy are hoping their talented colt Options can deliver another spring highlight when he lines up in Saturday’s Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington. The father-and-son team already claimed a major earlier this month when Half Yours captured the Caulfield Cup, and a Derby triumph would be another jewel in their crown.
Half Yours will also represent the stable in next week’s Melbourne Cup (3200m), but first attention turns to Options, who has emerged as a leading player among the country’s best staying three-year-olds.
Previously prepared by James Cummings for Godolphin, Options was among a large group of horses dispersed to new trainers following Cummings’ decision to relocate to Hong Kong. Beiwacht and Attica joined Chris Waller and Joe Pride respectively, while Derby favourite Observer and The Everest placegetter Tempted moved to Ciaron Maher. Options, however, landed in the care of the McEvoys — and the results have been immediate.
The colt scored back-to-back wins at Echuca and Bendigo before a third-place finish in the Victoria Derby Preview (1800m) at Flemington on September 21. He then returned to win the Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at the same track on October 4, confirming his Derby credentials.
Last weekend, Options endured a tough run in the Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley, finishing fifth after being held up in traffic. Despite that, Calvin McEvoy said the horse has come through the race better than ever. “We wanted to run on Saturday, and we wanted a bit more luck, but we left the racecourse knowing the big target was this weekend,” McEvoy said. “He didn’t get a lot of luck. They went very slow, but he felt good to Harry (Coffey) late. He did some work this morning and he has never come through a race better. He’ll be peaking on Saturday, and we think he will run the trip as well.”
The Derby has attracted 24 entries, with Observer heading the market at $1.90 and Options among the key challengers at $10. The final field and barrier draw will be released on Wednesday.
To have a punt on the Victoria Derby, explore Australia’s top online betting sites for the best odds, bonus offers, and trusted bookies before placing your Derby bets this weekend.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...