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.
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