Father-and-son training combination Tony and Calvin McEvoy took advantage of a trip down the highway from their Ballarat base to gallop a couple of horses at Moonee Valley.
Tony McEvoy loaded up a two-horse float to take Group 1 winner Veight and promising three-year-old Dublin Down on Tuesday morning for a trip away from home.
Veight is heading towards the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on September 27 first-up while Dublin Down, who is entered for a 1200m contest on Saturday, is likely to be reserved for the Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on September 14.
McEvoy said Tuesday’s gallop was an important stepping stone in Veight’s program which will be progressed further at the Cranbourne trials on Monday.
“They came here today for a nice familiarising gallop and a trip away from home,” McEvoy said.
“We got the stimulation Veight needed. He behaved himself very well. He’s a horse that can lay out in his races in the past, but he was pretty good today.
“Damian (Lane) said he felt fantastic and was full of praise for him.
“He’ll go to Cranbourne for the trials, and we’ve got time on our side as he’s not running until September 27 in the Manikato.
“He’s got a fabulous base on him, and I think he’s in for a really good spring.”
Following the Manikato Stakes, Veight is scheduled to head to Sydney for the Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on October 19 before contest the Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill two weeks’ later.
“Rosehill was the scene of his Group 1 win over 1500 metres,” McEvoy said.
“We’ll keep him just under that mile distance and against the four-year-olds in the Golden Eagle.
“It looks a cracking race.”
McEvoy said the Poseidon Stakes may eventually lead to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 2 for Dublin Down who won the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at the track last year.
“I think we can put a line through his Golden Slipper run and the form around him says he’s a pretty good colt,” McEvoy said.
“So, we’ll start him off in the Poseidon and let him tell us where he wants to take us.
“Even though he is stretchy and scopey like a miler, I think we’ll keep him shorter than that.”