Trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy abandon Queensland Derby plans for SA Derby winner Coco Sun

Trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy have scrapped a Queensland trip for South Australian Derby winner Coco Sun.

South Australian Derby winner Coco Sun will not head to Brisbane for the Queensland Derby or Queensland Oaks. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

Preparing for a spring classic has taken priority over a trip to Queensland for South Australian Derby winner Coco Sun.

Coco Sun was the first filly to win the South Australian Derby since Qafila in 2019 when she held off Warmonger to claim her maiden Group 1 win on May 4.

Coco Sun was also entered for the Queensland Derby and Queensland Oaks but co-trainer Calvin McEvoy said the daughter of The Autumn Sun would not tackle those features.

He said the stable would prepare Coco Sun for a shot at the Caulfield Cup as a four-year-old mare.

“We’ve decided not to go to Brisbane for the Oaks and Derby up there,” said McEvoy, who trains Coco Sun in partnership with his father Tony.

“We’ve sent her out for a break before getting her ready for a Caulfield Cup preparation.

“She did an amazing job to be narrowly beaten in the Oaks and win a Derby but we just wanted to look after her.

COCO SUN the third Gr.1 winner from the first-crop of The Autumn Sun & the 21st Gr.1 winner for Encosta de Lago as a bm sire.

4x3 to brothers Sadler’s Wells & Fairy King@ArrowfieldStud@mcevoymitchell@jamieleekah07@TyreelStud@BelmontBldstck@[e-mail]/hJRyoKrmt3

— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) May 4, 2024

“Four-year-old mares have a great record in Caulfield Cups and we think she’s still got improvement to come.”

Four-year-old mares have been regular Caulfield Cup winners in modern times with Jameka (2016), Southern Speed (2011), Ethereal (2001) saluting while the likes of Let’s Elope (1991), Imposera (1988) and Tristarc (1985) also winning,

While Coco Sun won’t take her place in the Queensland Derby, Victorian-trained gallopers top TAB’s market on the June 1 feature.

Australian Oaks winner Autumn Angel is the $4 favourite to win the Queensland Derby ahead of the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained Warmonger at $6.

Unbeaten gelding Hiyaam Proud, from the Matt Laurie stable at Mornington, is an $11 chance after his midweek win over 1800m at Eagle Farm on May 8.

Originally published as Trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy abandon Queensland Derby plans for SA Derby winner Coco Sun