A step up in distance is expected to suit Secret Blaze when the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained galloper runs in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup.
The gelding has been given a solid build-up to the Group 2 2500m race that for the first time this year carries a $1 million prize purse.
Having spent more than a year away from racing with a tendon injury, Secret Blaze has on a couple of occasions caught the McEvoy’s out with his performances.
Commencing with two runs over 1200m, Secret Blaze was a bit “dour” when stepped up to 1400m for the third start of his campaign with the trainers then electing to step straight to 2000m.
It proved a winning move with Secret Blaze scoring in the Group 3 JRA Cup (2040m) at The Valley on September 24.
Rather than jump to 2400m, the McEvoy’s elected for another 2000m contest, this time when sixth to Duais in the Group 3 Coongy Cup on October 13.
Luke Currie, who rode Secret Blaze at Caulfield, again has the ride on Saturday.
“They outsped him the other day,” Tony McEvoy said.
“He sat outside the lead, they went steady, but when they sprinted, Luke said he felt like he was looking for a mile-and-a-half.
“I thought the Coongy, another 2000-metre run, he had it in him, but he didn’t, and in the end, he was a little bit plain.
“But I think Moonee Valley, 2500, it’s ideal.
“The horse is fabulous. He worked on the course proper on Wednesday and is in tip-top shape.”
Secret Blaze has an excellent record at The Valley, recording two wins from three starts, both over the 2040m journey.
“It’s a big tick coming back here,” McEvoy said.
“There’s plenty of staying races around, but this one, it’s worth a million bucks.
“I don’t care who I beat.”
