The right Options

Options staked his credentials as a top Victoria Derby chance with a strong victory at Flemington on Saturday, October 4.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Options powered home from well back in the field to grab a photo-finish win in the Listed $175,000 Super Impose Stakes (1800m).

Owned by Godolphin, the three-year-old, a $6 chance and ridden by Harry Coffey, arrived to win by a head from Miewa ($3.40 fav) with Officiate ($4), a length away third.

After opening at $51, Options has been a steady shortener over the past month and following today’s win is as short as $6 for the $2 million Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, November 1.

Coffey allowed the colt to balance up early in the Super Impose Stakes before bringing him to the outside turning for home in the field of 12 and allowing him to lengthen stride.

Options steadily gathered in the leaders before finishing best to grab a photo finish win.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said Options was continuing on the right path to the Victoria Derby.

“He is a lovely horse, he really is,” McEvoy said.

“He has got a great temperament for a colt, is built beautifully and handles the work.

“Options has always been a little bit green and that is why he had the blinkers on for James (previous trainer James Cummings) in his last trial and he had his first few runs for us with the blinkers on.

“We had a conversation, Harry (Coffey), the team and myself about taking the shades off and seeing how he handled it.

“Knowing that our grand final was the Derby we wanted to see him hit the line. It was a bit of a risky move, a horse that should have been three from three, taking the shades off.

“It was a beautiful ride, and it all worked out well, he might be a live Derby contender.”

McEvoy said Options was likely to have one more run before the Derby and the $400,000 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday, October 25 was a possibility.

“We won the SA Derby on a backup, albeit with a filly, but they are very similar, both gross horses and love their work, and he loves his work.

“At this stage he will go to the Vase then back up in the Derby.

“Thanks to Godolphin, it is so exciting for our team to be able to produce some beautifully bred horses, and it was nice to get them a result.”

Winning jockey Harry Coffey is excited about Option’s potential.

“I didn’t want to ride him too tactical today,” Coffey said.

“I just wanted him to relax then show his powerful finish.

“We had a real clear path where we wanted to be going.

“This race, traditionally, has been an event going towards the Derby.

“He certainly proved that, albeit he did travel a bit strong in my hands, the tempo was pretty controlled.

“I backed this horse’s talent in, pulled him to the outside and let him rip and he did the rest.

“He is going the right way, he is so green and a very bullish colt, but he is reeling off some big runs, but he takes everything in his stride.

“He is a beautiful individual, a pleasure to ride and I have to thank Team Godolphin and the McEvoy team for the opportunity to ride him.”