Archer Stakes winner earns Melbourne Cup entry
The imported stayer Nearco Frod is aiming for his fifth consecutive win and a berth in the Melbourne Cup when he contests the Archer Stakes at Flemington.
Tony and Calvin McEvoy's charge will compete in the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) on Saturday, with the winner gaining automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Nearco Frod began his racing journey in France, achieving two victories from three starts before relocating to the McEvoys in Australia.
After a somewhat slow start, the gelding has since acclimatised exceptionally well, accumulating four successive wins from his 13 career starts.
His winning streak commenced at Sandown on July 1, followed by another triumph at the same track a fortnight later.
Nearco Frod then stepped up to Flemington, providing jockey Blake Shinn with a winner on his first ride back from injury on August 1, before securing another victory at Sandown on August 22.
Calvin McEvoy acknowledged that Nearco Frod had been a 'real suprise' to the stable.
"It just shows that you need to have some patience with these imports and to win five in a row is very difficult for any horse," McEvoy said.
"He's very fit and we keep him happy at home.
"He's bouncing around and I can't see any reason why he can't put up another good performance and it would be very exciting for connections to win that Golden Ticket."
The stablemate Half Yours, who achieved Caulfield and Melbourne Cup success last year after progressing through the grades, will inevitably draw comparisons.
McEvoy commented on the importance of keeping European stayers in consistent work.
"You have to keep these horses up," McEvoy stated.
"I wouldn't have thought he would get four in a row to be honest.
"He's not an overly big horse, but he's very fit, great lungs, which allows us to not overtax him in training.
"That is an asset in a stayer that will get them a long way and it prolong preparations, and if he happened to get a Golden Ticket, of course we would give him the opportunity."
Punters considering their wagers on the Archer Stakes can find competitive racing betting markets at various online bookmakers.
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