Calvin McEvoy says dual Cups winner Half Yours is finally in a race that is going to suit.
And McEvoy said the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups winner will relish the presence of Pride Of Jenni in the Group 2 Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained galloper will be lining up for his fourth start of the campaign.
First-up over an unsuitable 1400m journey in the All-Aged Stakes at Randwick in April, Half Yours finished a creditable ninth before two fourth place finishes, firstly behind Pride Of Jenni in the Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast and then more recently behind Birdman in the Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 23.
“I don’t want to sound like we’re making any excuses after the fact, because that’s not what we are doing,” McEvoy said.
“We always thought the Gold Coast wouldn’t suit, he would be a little bit vulnerable, Doomben would be a little bit similar and now we’re at Eagle Farm and I think he should have no excuses.
“The 2200 (metres) is going to be really good and Eagle Farm, the bigger track, it is going to suit.”
McEvoy said there should be no excuses on Saturday with Half Yours stepping up to the 2200m fourth-up.
He said Half Yours looks as well as he has done all preparation and the presence of Pride Of Jenni in the race will make it a truly run contest.
“He looks very well,” McEvoy said.
“He’s shining and I think he’s as good as he has been all prep which I think he’s going to need to be.
“The team up there are very happy with him.
“It will be run at a good tempo and it’s been one race, out of all the races, so far that should be suitable to him.
“Hopefully Tony’s got him fit now.”
A field of 11 has accepted for the Q22 with Half Yours, to be ridden by Jamie Melham, drawn in gate 8.
Opposition includes Vauban (barrier 2), 2024 Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice (3), Pride Of Jenni (7) and She’s A Hustler (6).
