McEvoy excited ahead of Maribyrnong Trial

Trainer Tony McEvoy is excited to see a couple of his stable’s new season juveniles step out in Melbourne’s first two-year-old race of the season.

McEvoy saddles up filly Sunlight and colt Scottish Rogue in Saturday’s Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.

McEvoy says being able to bring new young horses through each year is important to maintain his stable’s profile and he’s looking forward to Saturday.

“To be able to get them to the first races of the year I think complements your structure of your business, one of which I’m very proud of in my business,” McEvoy said.

“And to be able to get them there sound and well and to want to run, I haven’t slept for two nights and I certainly won’t be sleeping tonight. I’m so excited and looking forward to tomorrow.”

Sunlight has impressed in two trials, winning an official trial on heavy ground at Cranbourne on September 4 by two lengths before winning a jump-out down the Flemington straight last week.

“The big question I’ve got to ask her now is that she’s got to take it all to the races and do it on the day that matters,” McEvoy said.

Sunlight is $3.60 favourite while stablemate Scottish Rogue is at $18.

“That gap seems too big to me,” McEvoy said.

“Sunlight, yes she has been impressive.

“You’ve seen her twice and she won at Cranbourne and then she won down the straight in the trial.”

Scottish Rogue was in the same straight-track jump-out at Flemington last week and finished third.

“So if she’s $3 he should be $5 in my opinion,” McEvoy said.

“He’s a very nice colt.”

Sunlight, by Zoustar out of Solar Charged, has the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January as a goal should she perform to expectations.

The Maribyrnong Trial Stakes has a field of 11 with trainer James Cummings and the Lindsay Park stable also having two runners.

“My two two-year-olds have just continued to ask me to go to the races,” McEvoy said.

“They’re so willing and have handled their preparations beautifully.