The Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable have elected to head to Swan Hill instead of their old stomping ground of Morphettville with sprinter Rock The Ring.
Now with only a Ballarat base having last month closed their stable in the Barossa Valley of South Australia, the McEvoy father and son training combination are still intent in heading across the border for a shot at suitable races with their team.
But the owners of Rock The Ring were intent on having their sprinter start in the Golden Topaz (1200m) at Swan Hill on Friday instead of the Junction Handicap (1250m) at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.
“The owners were keen to go towards Swan Hill,” Calvin McEvoy said.
“He would have been better placed in Adelaide of course which was reflected by the market where he was favourite or second favourite.
“He’s a $23 chance at Swan Hill which is a reflection of where he is in that race, but we’re respecting the owners wishes.
“He’s going nicely but it looks a really tough race.”
Rock The Ring holds a handicap rating of 85 and is up against the likes of Regardsmaree (99), Dexelation (96), Ocean Beyond (93) and the $4 favourite for Friday’s $150,000 race, Front Page (93).
A consistent performer in Adelaide last spring and summer where he strung together three wins at Morphettville before being placed at Listed level, Rock The Ring will be lining up for his fourth start this campaign and goes into Friday’s contest fresh, having not started since beating one runner home over 1100m at Caulfield last month.
“They were a bit nippy for him that day and he was chasing the whole way,” McEvoy said.
“They went extremely fast with Starry Legend leading them up, but he came out of it fine.
“If he can run up to his run behind (Goodwood winner) Lombardo three runs back, he’s a chance, but he is an 85 rater against a 99 rater at the top of the weights, so there is wriggle room there.”
