The Tony and Calvin Mcevoy stable is banking on a drop in grade being the catalyst of a return to form for Veight.
The Group 1 winning son of Grunt has not been successful since winning the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill just on two years ago.
Having contested a Group 1 race at his most recent outing, Veight runs in the $200,000 VOBIS Gold So Si Bon (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Veight struggled in the spring of 2024 and was eventually gelded along with contracting a bout of pneumonia, before having only one run during 2025, finishing last in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.
Again, sent for a break, Veight injured his neck in a paddock accident putting an end to a potential spring campaign.
The McEvoy’s thought they had Veight back and firing after the now five-year-old finished a first-up second in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham and then third in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 7.
But the father-and-son training team were left scratching their heads after Veight finished last in the Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 21.
“We went over him thoroughly and he has no issues at all,” Calvin McEvoy said.
“The first two runs were good for the prep, but he had a tough run last time and put the white flag up early which was disappointing.
“We sent him back to Ballarat for a change of scenery and he’s down in grade on Saturday, so we’ll be looking for him to perform.”
With the exception of his debut maiden win at Pakenham in February 2023 and in the Golden Eagle the following year, Veight has competed at Stakes level throughout his 18 start career.
Allocated 61kg on Saturday, Veight will have Jackson Radley in the saddle and the benefit of his 3kg claim.
It will be the first time Veight has been ridden by an apprentice under race conditions.
“I’m not sure what’s happened there, but we’re able to use his claim,” McEvoy said.
“He’s got 58 (kg), so he’s in pretty well in off his best form.
“I expect him to bounce back, but if he doesn’t bounce back he might be looking after himself a little bit.”
