Yellow Jersey shines in Caulfield Heath trial, eyes Cox Plate

A French import, Yellow Jersey, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, has taken the lead in a specially organised trial at Caulfield Heath, finishing ahead of Mr Brightside in preparation for Saturday's Caulfield meeting.

The Dubawi colt is being readied for a shot at the prestigious Cox Plate, which this year will be run over 2000 metres at Flemington.

Yellow Jersey's racing experience is limited to just five starts, with only one appearance in Australia, where he secured a second place over 1600 metres at Eagle Farm in June.

Calvin McEvoy described the horse as exciting and possessing excellent breeding, noting that the stable has always held him in high esteem.

"He was a bit underdone going into his first run in Brisbane as there had been a lot of rain and it wasn't a perfect prep going to the mile first-up," McEvoy remarked.

"I think we've got a better handle on him this preparation and his trial in Sydney was super, he was very strong in that trial. I thought today he was better, more controlled."

McEvoy indicated that multiple options exist for the gelding's initial race back.

"There is an aggressive Memsie Stakes, there is a benchmark 100 over 1400 metres the same day in which he would get 62 (kg)," McEvoy explained. "There is the 1500-metre at Sandown the following week, there's The Heatherlie. He's got scope to do plenty. Trials are trials, so hopefully he can do it race day."

In other news, the Lindsay Park stable, managed by Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, is hoping to gain access to the Sandown course proper next Saturday for a final workout for Mr Brightside before his Memsie Stakes (1400m) return at Caulfield on August 29.

Mr Brightside's second-place finish in Saturday's trial represented the gelding's second outing as he gears up for his return to racing.

The nine-year-old horse missed the autumn racing period after undergoing surgery to address a bone chip.

Ben Hayes conveyed the team's contentment with Mr Brightside.

"He was here to have a nice hit-out," Hayes commented. "He flew the gates, went to the front, had his ears pricked and he went to the line quite nicely, although he got caught on the line, but it is a trial. The most important thing is, he acted as he always does when he goes to the races. He was super quiet in the parade, he had a good healthy blow, and he's still got to clean up in the coat a bit more."

While Mr Brightside was slated for a jump-out at Flemington on Wednesday, the Lindsay Park team decided a trip on the float would be more beneficial.

"We had the opportunity to bring him to the track, give him the race day experience and now we're two weeks out," Hayes added. "We're in discussion with the MRC to have a course proper galloper next Saturday and then he should be spot on. We want him a bit more forward than we normally do because he's a nine-year-old now and he missed the autumn."

Those tracking the premier online bookmakers will be keen to follow Yellow Jersey's progress this spring.