The 2016 Caulfield Guineas is an option for Hey Doc after he recorded an impressive victory in the 2016 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley tonight.
Hey Doc was simply too good for his rivals in the Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Luke Currie settled Hey Doc just behind the leading group in the early stages of the Stutt Stakes and he showed a magnificent turn-of-foot coming around the bend to quick put paid to his rivals.
Currie admitted after the race that he was surprised with how quickly Hey Doc was able to hit the front in the Stutt Stakes, but he was clearly delighted to have recorded a Group 2 victory during the 2016 Spring Racing Carnival.
“He is a bloody good horse,” Currie said.
“He has kept improving from his first prep and he has been flying at home.
“Tony has picked the right races for him just to keep stepping him up and he has had a couple of gallops here at the Valley and he has worked unbelievable.
“I expected him to do that.
“It was a perfect run and the speed was good.
“I thought that I would have liked to get there a furlong later, but when I did get there I thought that we would get around the corner and go to make the job hard.”
The Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield next Saturday is the logical next option for Hey Doc, but trainer Tony McEvoy refused to confirm that the son of Duporth would back-up in the stallion-making race.
McEvoy said that he is keen to give Hey Doc an opportunity over 2000 metres and the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) on Cox Plate Day is another option for the talented gelding.
“He really impressed me,” McEvoy said.
“Coming into this race the horse had to lift to another level and he really put it to them at the corner.
“I thought he was fabulous.
“It is a bit of a dilemma for us and a good dilemma to have.
“I just have to sit down with the big ownership group and work out what is the best thing for the horse and how far he will run.
“I will be guided by Luke to see if he wants to go any further and whether we go to the Vase because he loves the Valley.
“There are a few decisions to make.”
Land Of Plenty made up good ground late to finish second at a good price, while Kaching produced another eye-catching performance in third.
