Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours returns for Makybe Diva Stakes
The reigning Melbourne Cup winner, Half Yours, is set to make its comeback in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
Trainer Tony McEvoy has confirmed that the stayer is being pointed towards another tilt at the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Jamie Melham, the jockey who created history by becoming the first female to win both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, will partner the stayer in its initial run over 1600 metres at weight-for-age this Saturday.
There were questions raised about Half Yours's performance last campaign, which included a first-up run in Sydney followed by three starts in Queensland. The gelding's final outing in that state was a fourth-place finish in the Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm in June.
Half Yours recuperated in Queensland before rejoining the McEvoy team at Flemington early last month to begin preparations for its return to racing.
Following two jump-outs at Flemington, Half Yours is deemed ready for its first start. Tony McEvoy commented that while the most recent trial, a fourth over 1000 metres, might not have appeared impressive to onlookers, the stable was satisfied with the result.
"I was really happy with his trial," McEvoy remarked.
"If you put him in a 1000-metre race, he would get completely run off his legs and they ran it like a race.
"It wasn't like a normal trial and he got chasing.
"They were also trials at Flemington where they finish on a bend, so it's very hard for horses to make ground on a bend.
"Whilst it didn't look impressive, I thought he moved well, trialled nicely and the horse is telling us he's going very well while his coat is coming better by the day.
"All the data that we collate on him is normal.
"He certainly hasn't gone backwards."
Post-Saturday's race, Half Yours is expected to proceed to the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 3. This is the same race where he finished fourth last year before claiming the Caulfield Cup.
The Group 1 Cox Plate, this year to be held at Flemington, will conclude Half Yours's campaign leading up to the Melbourne Cup.
Compare the latest racing odds from leading online bookmakers.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...