Veight accelerates to victory

Trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy unveiled an impressive two-year-old winner, Veight, at Pakenham on Thursday, February 2.

The colt lived up to his name (V8) to accelerate away from his rivals over the final stages of the Tasmanian MM Voucher Maiden (1200m).

Easy in the market starting at $5.50, Veight, ridden by Damien Lane, scored by six lengths from Apulia ($6) with Itza Motza ($2.30 fav) a head away third.

The colt jumped beautifully from his outside gate of six and shared the lead in the run to the home turn.

Lane asked him to lengthen past the 400m mark and, under hands and heels riding, Veight dashed away to establish a winning break.

He was being eased down over the final 50m but had a big winning margin.

Trainer Tony McEvoy was impressed by the win.

“That was exciting,” McEvoy said.

“When the owners were naming him, I told them to come up with something good because he had a motor.

“They selected Veight and it suits him perfectly.

“I believe his best trip will be 1600 metres so we are not going to rush him.

“He was going really well earlier, but the races were only 1000 metres, and too short.

“When he came in this preparation we picked out this Pakenham race and he has duly delivered.

“We will wait and see he comes through tonight’s race before selecting his next start.”

McEvoy said there was every chance Veight could make his way to Sydney for their autumn carnival.

“If he progresses as we hope, a race like the Champagne Stakes over 1600 metres at Randwick on April 15, could be a goal.”

McEvoy said when he went to the Inglis Classic Yearling Sales last year he had no intention of buying a yearling by the sire Grunt.

“When I saw this horse I was quite taken,” the trainer said.

“He had a wonderful physique and was so balanced.

“We went to $220,00 to purchase him and hopefully it was money well spent.”