Nearco Frod seeks fifth win in a row at Sandown
The training partnership of Tony and Calvin McEvoy possesses a thorough understanding of equine development.
Last year, after a period spent in the warmer climate of Queensland, Half Yours returned to claim a double in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Half Yours is once again bound for the Melbourne Cup, with a potential path via the Cox Plate, although the father-and-son training team did nominate him for the Caulfield Cup when nominations closed earlier this week.
Another entrant from the McEvoy stable for the Caulfield Cup is Nearco Frod, who will be aiming to extend his current winning streak to four when he contests the McMahon's Dairy Handicap (2400m) at Sandown this Saturday.
Nearco Frod did not benefit from a 'winter excursion' to the Sunshine Coast for warmth; instead, he endured the cold of Melbourne, securing victories on heavy tracks at Sandown on July 1 and July 15, before winning over 2520m at Flemington on August 1.
Tony McEvoy indicated that securing a place in the Caulfield Cup was the aspiration, but Nearco Frod had not yet achieved the necessary qualification for the race.
The Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3 might be a more realistic objective, given the strategy is to target the Group 3 The Archer (2500m) at Flemington on September 12, following his appearance on Saturday.
The winner of The Archer receives a ballot exemption for the Melbourne Cup.
"He'll go to The Archer and then we'll reassess where we are then," McEvoy stated.
"The Caulfield Cup, it is a big step, but we've put him in and he's a handy little stayer."
"We saw last year where they can come from, but at this stage we're thinking Saturday and then into The Archer."
Craig Williams is set to ride Nearco Frod again on Saturday, having partnered the stayer to victory in two consecutive races at Sandown.
Blake Shinn’s first win after returning from injury came aboard Nearco Frod when the horse was successful at Flemington in his latest performance. Consider the online bookmakers for the latest Melbourne Cup odds.
More Racing News
Melbourne Cup hopes boosted for Ciaron Maher runners after handicapping
Juja Kibo has taken a significant step towards a Melbourne Cup start, receiving a revised handicap following his impressive victory in The Metropolitan last Saturday.The chief handicapper for Racing Victoria, David Hegan, assigned the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer a 2kg penalty for the $10 million event, acknowledging his dominant 1-3/4-length win...
Crescent King set for Brian Crowley Stakes after Warwick Farm triumph
While Crescent King has not yet been tested in Saturday races, a commanding win at Warwick Farm on Monday could well have earned him a start in Stakes company.The Written Tycoon colt, a three-year-old, now boasts two wins from as many starts this preparation after he reeled in the speedy...
Attrition set for another tilt at the Hill Stakes
Mitch Freedman's primary focus at Flemington last Saturday was on the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes, which he claimed with Skybird, but he was also an interested observer of the Turnbull Stakes.The Ballarat trainer expressed his satisfaction at seeing Cosmic Crusader achieve a dominant 1-3/4-length victory in the 2000-metre Group 1...
Welcometotheshow primed for Toorak Handicap tilt
Trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken is preparing to mark a significant career milestone, readying his first Group 1 contender, Welcometotheshow.The race targeted for Welcometotheshow is the highly anticipated Toorak Handicap, a 1600-metre event at Caulfield this Saturday. This comes after the gelding secured his inaugural Stakes race victory at Flemington on September...
Flying For Fun targets Schillaci Stakes after impressive return
Bryce Heys has opted to keep Flying For Fun at shorter distances for now, with the mare's next start set to be in Melbourne for the Schillaci Stakes.The dual stakes winner is expected to be nominated for the 1100m sprint at Caulfield on Saturday. This comes after a promising return...
Close call as Skybird narrowly wins Gilgai Stakes
Depending on when you are reading this, trainer Mitchell Freedman and favourite backers may only just have exhaled as a unique characteristic nearly brought Skybird undone in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.Sent out the $2.90 market elect, Skybird looked set for an easy victory as jockey Ben Melham eased the...
Cosmic Crusader's Turnbull Stakes victory points to Cox Plate tilt
Pakenham trainer Andrea Leek has celebrated her most substantial success to date as Cosmic Crusader triumphed in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Leek is now aiming for an even greater prize, hoping to return to headquarters for Australia's premier weight-for-age race, the Cox Plate, with the Perth-owned galloper.The prestigious Cox...
Premiere Stakes victory for Tempted seals Everest start
Tempted has made a powerful statement with her commanding win in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, effectively securing her owner Godolphin's slot in The Everest and signalling her readiness to challenge Hong Kong's elite sprinter Ka Ying Rising.The official confirmation is awaited, but Tempted is expected to represent the global...
Mr Monaco books Melbourne Cup ticket with Flemington win
The Ciaron Maher stable has successfully gained another 'Golden Ticket' to the Melbourne Cup thanks to Mr Monaco's triumph at Flemington.Mr Monaco triumphed in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, thereby securing a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) scheduled for November 3.Previously, Shockletz...
Sam Clipperton makes triumphant return with Group 2 Metropolitan win on Juja Kibo
Jockey Sam Clipperton marked his most significant success since his return from retirement by guiding Juja Kibo to victory in the Randwick staying feature, The Metropolitan, a race now designated as Group 2.Clipperton had stepped away from the saddle just over a year after his 2023 Everest triumph on Think...