Trainer Tony McEvoy is confident that Big Memory will prove extremely tough to beat when he takes his place in the 2017 Mornington Cup field on Saturday.
Big Memory (outside) will carry winning form into Saturday’s Mornington Cup. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Big Memory has been a consistent performer in major staying races since he arrived in Australia in early 2013 and has returned this year in typically smart form; running second in the Mal Secull Handicap (2400m) and fifth in the Listed Torney Cup (2500m), before returning to winning form in the Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) last time out on March 4th.
Having run second in the two most-recent editions of the Mornington Cup, McEvoy told AAP that he is thrilled with the condition of the Duke Of Marmalade gelding and is confident that he is ready to go one better in the feature race on Saturday.
“He has done extra well since his good win the other day and he likes Mornington,” McEvoy said.
“He hasn’t won the race but he has gone mighty close.
“So we know he likes the track and he’s probably going into it as good as he has done before.”
McEvoy rated Big Memory’s win in the Roy Higgins Quality amongst the best performances of the horse’s career and is excited to see him run in the Mornington Cup.
“I was starting to feel sorry for the horse because he was doing nothing wrong and just couldn’t win,” McEvoy said.
“He’s had 12 seconds and many of those have been by very small margins.
“I must say I got just as big a thrill out of him winning as I did the Group One (Hey Doc in the Australian Guineas). More for the horse than for me.”
Big Memory has produced five wins and a further sixteen minors through his thirty-eight start career to date; arguably highlighted by his win in the 2014 edition of the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) in which he beat home Signoff, Let’s Make Adeal and subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist.
The 2017 Mornington Cup field is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday and is set to include the likes of Adelaide Cup winner Annus Mirabilis, Canberra Cup winner Dark Eyes and international raider The Gold Trail.
