The trainer-jockey combination of Chris Waller and Kerrin Mcevoy is set to be a force at Rosehill when they team up in three of the four black-type races.
With James Mcdonald riding at Flemington, McEvoy has picked up five rides for the champion trainer, led by Ranch Hand in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m), Matchmaker in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) and Toomuchtobear in the Listed Parramatta Cup (1900m).
All three shape as genuine top-three chances and McEvoy is particularly looking forward to having his first sit aboard emerging stayer Toomuchtobear, who he has been watching closely from afar.
The lightly-raced four-year-old has won half of his 10 starts and showed a gritty determination last time out when he lifted himself off the canvas to run down stablemate Desert Icon and score.
He will step out for his first stakes test in Saturday’s Listed Parramatta Cup (1900m) and has the advantage of a rails draw.
“He looks a real genuine gelding this fellow. I have been watching him without having had a ride on him,” McEvoy said.
“He can utilise that draw to take up a handy position and he was good out to 2000 metres last time.
“It looks a nice progression race for him to step into a bit of black-type.”
Ranch Hand launched his campaign with an encouraging second in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) when he split winner Paulele and Saturday’s Hobartville rival Converge.
While McEvoy concedes the colt still needs to prove himself at 1400 metres, he feels now is the right time to test him.
“He has still got to tick that box,” McEvoy said.
“He stayed at sprint trips during the spring but being that little more seasoned, he can now try those (longer) distances and the way he raced at Randwick first-up, you would like to think he can put his best foot forward over 1400 metres this preparation.”
Ranch Hand is bred to get the Hobartville distance being by Fastnet Rock out of Shamardal mare Mezulla, who was a winner over 1700 metres.