Trainer Tony McEvoy is hoping to secure his first victory in the Group 2 $400,000 Tattsbet Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on Monday with improving stayer Big Memory.
Tony McEvoy is keen to win the Adelaide Cup with Big Memory. Photo by Steve Hart.
McEvoy who now splits his training between Kildalton Park in South Australia and Hawkesbury in New South Wales, has secured the services of big race jockey Craig Williams to help him score an emotional home town victory.
McEvoy has spent most of his life in South Australia before setting up a second stable at Hawkesbury twelve months ago after forming a partnership with Wayne Mitchell of Mitchel Thoroughbreds in 2011.
“I’m a South Australian boy, so to win the Adelaide Cup would mean a lot to me and my team,” McEvoy told The Advertiser.
“We’ve only been in business for four years and we’re building something very special and winning this race would really kick us along.”
McEvoy is also content with drawing a good barrier and knows that Williams will give Big Memory a sweet run in a handy position.
“I think it’s an ideal draw,” McEvoy said.
“Craig doesn’t have to make any real decisions now early. The horse is very effective out of the gates and, going to that first turn, Craig can just take his time and make up his mind where he’d like to be.
“He’ll be forward. He’s an on-pace horse and, going out to two mile, I’d expect him to be in the first four.
“I’m so excited to have one of the quality, Group-class jockeys in Australia riding the horse.”
McEvoy had set Big Memory for the Adelaide Cup from the beginning of this campaign and the four year old has progressed nicely heading towards the ‘two miler’.
“The horse had his first run at Ballarat, he had his second run at Morphettville and then won at Canterbury at his third start,” McEvoy said.
After winning in restricted class over 1900m at Canterbury on December 28, McEvoy stepped the Duke Of Marmalade gelding up in distance and was beaten a nose by Travolta in the Listed $100,000 Vili’s Pies Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Randwick on January 25.
With Williams in the saddle, Big Memory then returned to the winner’s stall in the Listed $150,000 ADAPT Australia Torney Night Cup (2500m) at Moonee Valley on February 21 beating Aggregator and Travolta.
Big Memory at $3.20, is having a tight battle in the Adelaide Cup market order with the Robert Smerdon trained Cooldini who has been posted the $3 favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au.
Cooldini with Glen Boss to ride, is also going to Morphettville a last start winner after beating Prince Of Penzance and Outback Joe in the Listed $120,000 Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington on March 1.
Outback Joe with Chad Schofied to ride is on the third line of betting at $7.50 with Motivado at $13, 2012 winner Rialya at $14 and Aggregator at $15.
Western Australian stayer Black Tycoon with Damien Oliver has been installed a $21 chance after being handicapped with 59kgs and coming up with the horror barrier draw of fifteen while last Saturday’s Lord Reims Stakes winner Distillation has been marked at $26
