Manikato Stakes fancy Veight earns comparison to former Tony McEvoy star Hey Doc

Tony McEvoy won the Manikato Stakes twice with Hey Doc and has Veight primed to give him another victory in the Group 1 race.

Trainer Tony McEvoy has Group 1 star Veight ready to rumble on AFL grand final eve at The Valley in the Manikato Stakes (1200m).

Veight is an equal $7 chance with Estriella in a pre-nominations Ladbrokes market behind I Wish I Win ($3.60) and Hayasugi ($4.80).

Hayasugi, Estriella and I Wish I Win finished second, fourth and fifth respectively first-up in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m).

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“All the signs are he’s as good as he can be and he’s probably as good as he ever has been,” McEvoy, who trains in partnership with son Calvin, said.

“His 1200m record is excellent … quite a few of them (opposition) have had the benefit of a race, I don’t think it’s going to matter.

“We’ve had such a good build up and good base on him, this has been a plan since last year, so I think he’s ready to compete.”

Group 1 winner Veight tuned up with a sharp 800m trial last week at Cranbourne.

“He’s not a good trial horse and his first trial looked very plain … to trial like he did the other day behind that fast 1000m stakes winner (Katsu) was exceptionally good,” McEvoy said.

The barrier draw for the Manikato Stakes will be held at The Valley on Tuesday afternoon.

Veight winning the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes in March. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

McEvoy, a dual Manikato winner with Hey Doc (2017 and 2020), said Veight compared to the former stable star.

Hey Doc won the 2017 Australian Guineas and returned in the spring to claim the Manikato Stakes.

Veight placed second in the Australian Guineas this year, behind Southport Tycoon, an $8 chance for the Manikato Stakes.

“He’s classier than Hey Doc,” McEvoy said.

“I got to be careful saying that, Hey Doc won four Group 1s for us, but he’s (Veight) a class horse this fellow, he matches it with Hey Doc.”

Results on Friday night could reshape McEvoy’s plans for Golden Eagle prospect Veight as a victory would entice Everest slot-holders.

McEvoy has the $1m Silver Eagle (1300m) in mind for Veight on October 19 – Everest and Caulfield Cup day.

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The $2m Sydney Stakes (1200m), an Everest consolation, on the same day at Randwick is another option.

The $10m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill – same track and trip as Veight’s George Ryder Stakes’ success last autumn – is main target.

McEvoy also has Rue De Royale in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at The Valley on Friday night.

Group 2-placed Rue De Royale scored a well-deserved maiden victory at Bendigo last start — having earned about $700,000 prizemoney without a win previously through eight runs.

“He’s trained on well, we’ve really stepped his work up now,” McEvoy said.

“So nice to see him dominate that very good maiden, I think that will be, listening to people behind us, he’s been to The Valley and ran in the Banner there but he’s galloped there.”

Rue De Royale has been sounded out for the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November and $3.5m The Kiwi slot race in March.

Originally published as Manikato Stakes fancy Veight earns comparison to former Tony McEvoy star Hey Doc