Smart debut winner Volkano to test credentials in Group 3 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Morphettville Parks

After winning his debut by 4½ lengths, Tony and Calvin McEvoy will throw exciting youngster Volkano into the deep end in the Group 3 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Morphettville Parks.

Volkano thrashed his rivals on debut at Ballarat Synthetic. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

After putting his rivals to the sword in a crushing debut win, well-bred gelding, Volkano, is set to give the Sires’ Produce Stakes a shake at Morphettville on Saturday.

Volkano led from barrier to box to score a 4½ length win at Ballarat last Tuesday, way too sharp for his rivals over 1200m on the synthetic track.

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Prepared by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the stable has always had a big opinion of the two-year-old, who is by Too Darn Hot, out of stakes-winning mare Volks Lightning.

He was a $425,000 yearling purchase at the 2024 Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast.

“He’s come through it really well, obviously he was very impressive,” Calvin McEvoy, who trainers in partnership with father Tony, said.

“I don’t know if he beat much that day, but as they say, you can only win, can’t you?

“He’s trained on nicely since that, it’s a little bit of an aggressive placement, but there wasn’t really the perfect race for him over here.

“He’s obviously very well bred, we are going to give him a go, throw him in the deep end a little bit.

“There’s only 13 nominations, there doesn’t look to be a standout in the race, for that reason, it’s a good opportunity to have a go at a Group 3 worth $150k.”

The Volkano has erupted!

Great to see Volkano win so stylishly on debut for @mcevoymitchell and owners!

👏 👏 👏 @BelmontBldstckhttps://t.co/c76DizxU3z

— MyRacehorseAU (@MyRacehorseAU) July 8, 2025

• SA recap: Injured hoop returns in style, mare breaks long drought

A gelding operation has seen Volkano start to piece it together, and while the preference was to leave him as a colt, the ultimate gear change may prove key to untapping his potential.

“We didn’t want to (geld him), you pay a good bit of money for a colt with a pedigree like his, but he just wasn’t putting his efforts into the right places,” McEvoy said.

“For that reason he had to be gelded, and it looks like it’s going to be the making of the horse.”

SA young gun Jacob Opperman will pilot Volkano in Saturday’s Group 3 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on the Parks circuit.

The McEvoy stable has won the race five times, twice as a father-son duo (2020, ‘22) alongside Tony’s three earlier wins (2013, ‘17 and ‘19).

“He’s going there as good as he can be, and we are looking forward to seeing where he fits,” McEvoy said.

***2YO WINNER ON DEBUT***

VOLKANO (Too Darn Hot x Volks Lightning) bolts in by 4.5L for @mcevoymitchell@BelmontBldstck@MyRacehorseAU

Our 3rd debut 2YO winner from just 11 2024 Book 1 @mmsnippets Yearlings

Congrats to breeder Simon Raleigh⁰#SmallFarmBigResultspic.twitter.com/HndN3qwTM9

— Bell River (@BellRiver_BR) July 8, 2025

Originally published as Smart debut winner Volkano to test credentials in Group 3 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Morphettville Parks