No stopping Game Keeper

It is said weight can stop a train, but apparently not the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Game Keeper which notched its fourth win in a row at Flemington on Saturday, May 23.

Carrying the steadier of 62kg on a heavy track, Game Keeper, ridden by Damien Oliver, scored a neck win in the Efficient Handicap (2000m) from Blue Ocean ($17) with November Dreaming ($4.20), three-quarters of a length away third.

A drifter from $2.80 to $5, the three-year-old has carried 60.5kg, 62kg and 57.5kg before the Flemington win.

He started his winning streak in Benchmark 64 and 66 races before winning the Listed Adelaide Guineas and now stepping up to a Melbourne city win.

Michael Shepherdson, Victorian stable foreman for McEvoy Mitchell Racing, was impressed by Game Keeper’s victory.

“It was a very brave performance,” Shepherdson said.

“He carried 62gk on real testing ground.

“Ollie (Damien Oliver) kept him in a position where he could just build his momentum.

“He couldn’t have been more impressive.

“It shows a bit of class when they can continue to step up in grade carrying big weights.

“Tony and Calvin have always really liked him.

“He was a nice two-year-old and we tried him in a Blue Diamond, but he had the ultimate gear change and he’s really turned his form around.

“He has developed and matured this preparation.

“He’s come through his grades well and I’m sure Tony & Calvin will pick out some nice targets come spring

“He has done a real good job this prep.”