Trainer Tony McEvoy is confident that Azazel will prove extremely difficult to beat in Saturday’s Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at The Valley following a strong piece of work on Tuesday morning.

Azazel will take his place in Saturday's Listed McKenzie Stakes field at The Valley second-up. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Azazel will take his place in Saturday’s Listed McKenzie Stakes field at The Valley second-up. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Azazel has shown plenty of ability throughout his short but impressive racing career so far and returned from a spell to post a comfortable win in the VRC Members Pavilion Handicap (1000m) at Flemington on August 5th.

The Snitzel colt worked alongside stable mate Roomooz at The Valley this morning and McEvoy is confident that he is ready to fire once more when he takes his position in Saturday’s McKenzie Stakes field.

“I brought him back here to give him a nice piece of work this morning,” McEvoy told Racing Victoria.

“He was very sharp, really good work, I was very pleased with him.

“The filly Roomooz is in the top-five workers in my stable, and I think they both worked beautifully this morning.

“His coat’s come, he’s physically in better shape, and he’s very positive about himself, I can assure you.”

Trialling well in the lead-up to his competitive debut, Azazel immediately stamped himself as a colt to follow with a dominant win in the Inglis Banner (1000m) at The Valley on October 22nd and was sent for a spell following a tough run for fourth in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m).

Again trialling well leading into his Autumn Carnival campaign this year, the colt out of Allariza finished second behind Property in the Listed Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview C&G (1000m) first-up and was again sent to the paddock after running fourth in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude C&G (1100m) on February 11th.

The 2016 McKenzie Stakes field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.

Azazel is currently available at early 2017 McKenzie Stakes odds of $5.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.