Early betting on Saturday’s two-year-old race at Flemington suggests Tony McEvoy holds a strong hand.
McEvoy saddles two runners in the Better Beyond Plate, debut Morphettville winner Hey Doc and Lessyd, a placegetter at his only two runs.
Hey Doc has firmed from $4 to $3.80 while Lessynd is into $8.50 from $11.
McEvoy said Lessyd struck the outside of his barrier at Geelong on December 26.
“He was unbalanced at the start and was taken back, so that was his race gone,” McEvoy said.
“It was an on-pace dominated race and he really made up a lot of ground.”
McEvoy is hoping for a cleaner start from Lessyd on Saturday, but long-term thinks the gelding will be suited stepping up to a mile.
Hey Doc was sent straight to Melbourne following his Morphettville success under Todd Pannell.
McEvoy said Hey Doc had little respite during the race before scoring a three-quarter length win.
“Todd just had to keep him on the job from around the 600-metre mark and it just put him off his game,” he said.
“I think it was a pretty solid performance but he just didn’t do it as smooth as you would have liked.”
McEvoy said Hey Doc hadn’t put a foot wrong since arriving at his Flemington stable 10 days ago.
“He hasn’t left an oat and has been quite stimulated by the big smoke,” he said.
Bringaroo, which defeated Lessyd at Geelong at his last start, is the $2.80 favourite for Saturday’s race.
