McEvoy autumn team readies for launch

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable are looking forward to the return to racing of Veight who will be among nominations for two races in the coming week.

The Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds at Caulfield on Friday and the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday are under consideration the three-year-old.

Calvin McEvoy said he and his father preferred taking on the older horses at weight-for-age first-up at The Valley and are planning a trip to the track on Tuesday morning for a gallop.

Veight is yet to race at Moonee Valley and has not been seen since finishing fifth in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in November.

That followed an unlucky second to Griff in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) the month prior.

“He’s in great order and we will most likely run in Australia Stakes first-up,” McEvoy said.

“He’ll have a nomination in the Manfred Stakes as well and then he will be into the (Group 1) Orr Stakes (1400m at Caulfield) second-up.

“He looks fantastic. He’s grown and developed, and his work has been good, and I’m looking forward to seeing him first-up.”

Besides Veight, the McEvoy stable has an exciting array of two-year-olds that are about to resume.

With their Magic Millions contender Arabian Summer heading to the paddock, the McEvoys are looking to Rue De Royale, Blue Stratum and Altermatum putting their hand up during the autumn.

Rue De Royale is heading on a Sydney campaign, running first-up in the Inglis Millennium (1200m) at Randwick on February 10.

The colt ran second in the Golden Gift (1100m) at Rosehill in November at his most recent run.

“He’s had a little break since then,” McEvoy said.

“He’ll run in The Millennium on February 10 into the Todman Stakes into the Golden Slipper.

“He’s a pretty exciting colt.”

While Rue De Royale is Sydney bound, Blue Stratum and Altermatum are to remain in Melbourne to contest the Blue Diamond Series at Caulfield.

Blue Stratum will kick off in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) on Friday while Altermatum will wait another two weeks to kick off in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m).

Provided they run up to expectations, both are then expected to head to the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 24.