Half Yours races full on towards G1 Caulfield Cup

MELBOURNE Father-and-son training partners Tony and Calvin McEvoy will have a starter in the A$5 million (S$4.29 million) Group 1 Caulfield Cup, after Half Yours strolled to an easy victory at Caulfield on Sept 20.

The St Jean five-year-old's first Group success in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2,000m) has provided him with a ballot exemption into the premier staying feature (2,400m) on Oct 18.

Sent out as the $13 shot under Jamie Melham, Half Yours scored a 3½-length win from Berkshire Breeze (Michael Dee), while Grand Pierro (Zac Spain) finished another head away in third.

The McEvoys had planned to run Half Yours in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2,000m) in Sydney on Sept 20, and aim him for the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2,400m) at Randwick on Oct 4.

But the gelding was in danger of not making the field as he was an emergency acceptor.

Half Yours was the first standby starter in the Naturalism Stakes, but the McEvoys decided on switching the gelding south, where he will stay for the remainder of the carnival.

"That was the big question through the week," said Calvin McEvoy.

"Dad and I, we tossed up what to do. He was in Sydney, as we had always planned to run him in the Kingston Town. But at the last minute, we decided to accept here.

"We always knew that if he came down here to Melbourne and won, he'd probably stay here.

"Look, he's in the Caulfield Cup now. He's proven on a good track, so I think we'll be all systems go to the Caulfield Cup."

McEvoy said Half Yours was purchased via the 2024 Inglis Digital November (Late) Sale after being seen by racing manager Rayan Moore.

"He was bred by Janice and the late Col McKenna, and was very well-handled early by the (Ciaron) Maher team," said McEvoy.

"We loved the profile, he had a good rating, and we really wanted to get him.

"We didn't think we'd have to spend the money we did, but thank God we did. Ever since we've had him, he's been straightforward, been a lovely horse to train, and we haven't got to his ceiling yet."

The six-time winner wintered in Queensland after claiming the Listed Caloundra Cup (2,400m) at Sunshine Coast on July 5, before making his way down to Sydney.

McEvoy said Half Yours was a fit galloper, and would have no problem handling 2,400m at this stage of his preparation.

"Another run (before the Cup) won't do him any harm," he said.

"I feel like he could go straight to a mile-and-a-half now and that would not be a problem.

"We'll get through today, we'll weigh up what we do. Whether it's one more run, or a trial, I don't know, but it's bloody exciting for the whole team."

Half Yours will carry 52.5kg in the Caulfield Cup after his effortless win in the Naturalism Stakes.

His market odds of 5-1 makes him the second favourite behind champion trainer Chris Waller's Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1,800m) runner-up Buckaroo at 4-1. Waller's Group 1 Australian Derby (2,400m) winner Aeliana is the third pick at 7-1.

Half Yours is also nominated for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3,200m) at Flemington on Nov 4. RACING AND SPORTS