Veight returns a Group winner

Exciting three-year-old Veight resumed from a spell with a dominant victory in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday, September 2.

Most keen form judges were prepared to overlook the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Veight after his jump outs leading up to the black type feature, but the colt proved he is a race day specialist.

Given a perfect run, third on the fence, by jockey Damian Lane, the three-year-old accelerated between the leaders to score by three-quarters of a length.

Veight ($5.50) defeated Legacies ($4.80) with Little Brose ($4.60 fav) a similar margin away third.

The colt began well, and Lane had no problem settling third on the fence in the run to the home turn.

He came off the inside rounding the turn to move towards the centre of the course.

Lane asked Veight for his effort inside the 300-metre mark and the colt burst through to secure victory.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said Veight had the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in his sights.

McEvoy said the stable had always been happy with Veight despite the social media chat which suggested he had not been impressive in his jump outs.

“We have not once doubted how he was going this preparation,” McEvoy said.

“I think a lot of people may read too much into the jump outs, he did as much as we wanted him to do.

“What is exciting about today’s win is that we are six weeks from our grand final.

“There is plenty of improvement which makes the win even more special.

“It was beautiful (ride) from ‘Frosty’ (Damian Lane).

“He drew a nice gate and we thought we might have been able to get one-out, one-back but unfortunately, he got stuck on the rail.

“It never looked like he wasn’t going to get a run, and he let down – he’s a proper horse.

“The plan we have been comfortable with all the way through was today, three weeks to the Prelude, then three weeks to the Guineas.

“I think he will come on leaps and bounds from today.”

Winning jockey Damian Lane was a little surprised by Veight’s victory.

“This guy gives me the feel of a real Guineas type,” Lane said.

“I think he is going to love getting out to 1400 (metres), then a mile (1600m).

“Veight has grown up and filled out, he is a big strong man now.

“I was a little bit surprised how well he went today on the back of his jump outs.

“I thought he might need the 1400 before we saw him winning, but as good horses do, they can often exceed your expectations once they get to race day.

“He has certainly done that again.

“He is three from four – he is a real winner.”