Yellow Jersey set for highly anticipated return

A joint workout at Sandown on Saturday saw Yellow Jersey keeping Half Yours company, a session Calvin McEvoy felt had a pleasing symmetry as both horses gear up for their spring returns.

Last year, Half Yours offered the McEvoys, including father Tony, a glimpse into the pressures associated with the carnival's premier events, and it's this calibre of competition the stable aims for with Yellow Jersey.

Cox Plate aspirations are held for the high-priced import by the McEvoys, with his reappearance scheduled for this Saturday's $200,000 Listed Heatherlie Handicap at Caulfield.

"He's very untapped and he comes with a very big profile, which comes with pressure, I think," stated Calvin McEvoy.

"He cost a lot of money and the horse needs to come out and perform.

"Imports don't always do that, but I believe that we've seen enough from him that has shown us that he's a really good horse.

"He needs to go to the races and perform and I'm hoping that he can be another headline horse for us."

The 1700-metre Heatherlie Handicap will represent the sixth race start for Yellow Jersey. He achieved victory in his initial three races in France, followed by a second placing over 2200m at Group 2 level prior to his export to Australia.

His sole outing in Australia to date was a narrow second in the Listed Wayne Wilson Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 13.

The McEvoys considered a start for Yellow Jersey in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), but decided against it to protect his rating and keep future options open, particularly as he is also entered for the Caulfield Cup, a 2400m Group 1 handicap with weights yet to be finalised.

"If he were to run sharp in that sort of race, there's a chance he'd get eight to 10 (ratings) points and we thought that was a low percentage play," Calvin commented.

Yellow Jersey finished slightly ahead of Half Yours after their track gallop on Saturday. This exercise was part of a preparation aiming for a start in the Makybe Diva Stakes, the target for last year's Caulfield/Melbourne Cups champion.

"He was a little bit fresh in behind, travelled very strongly and couldn't have worked any nicer," McEvoy said regarding Half Yours.

"He had a healthy blow, he gets one more trial this coming Friday and then goes into the Makybe Diva Stakes first-up.

"He's exactly where you want him to be."

The $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) is slated for Flemington on September 12.

Consider the racing betting markets for the Heatherlie Handicap at betting sites.