Veight speeds to Sires win

Exciting two-year-old Veight went into overdrive to speed away with the Group 2 $300,000 MSS Security Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday, March 11.

Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, Veight, a winner of his only other start at Pakenham on February 2, stepped up to black type company with an authoritative victory.

Ridden by Damien Lane, the two-year-old colt was a drifter in betting easing from $3 to start $4.80 favourite but sprinted strongly over the final 300 metres to give his backers no cause for concern.

Veight won by two lengths from Apulia ($61) with Amur ($21), 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy said the colt was justifying their high opinion of the son of stallion Grunt.

“That was a really fantastic win,” McEvoy said.

“Obviously it was a little different program leading into a 1400 metre race, we had to trust his ability.

“He’s gone 5-1/2 weeks with a very soft trial in to today.

“We feel he has got so much improvement to come, which makes today’s win even more special.”

McEvoy said there had been no regrets missing the recent Blue Diamond Stakes over 1200 metres.

“You’ve got to nominate for those races (Blue Diamond) very early,” he said.

“We always thought seven furlongs (1400m) and probably a mile (1600m) would be where it’s at.”

McEvoy said the $1 million Group 1 Inglis Sires Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 1 was the logical next run for Veight.

“It’s three weeks up there. There’s improvement to come and then we’ll reassess after that.

“He’s an exciting colt with a very exciting future.”

Winning jockey Damien Lane said Veight was a very talented two-year-old.

In winning, Lane was the first jockey in 21 years to score successive victories in the VRC Sires.

“This horse was well placed today and well prepared,” Lane said.

“It was just such a smart decision to bypass the Blue Diamond and set him for this race.

“I don’t think it (Blue Diamond) would have suited him.

“Hopefully he pulls up well and has got another run in him.

“He has got good ability.

“He was able to take a sit today, he is still a little bit field shy but when he got in the clear he really let rip.

“Veight has shown he is versatile, he can go forward or sit in behind, that is a very good attribute to have going forward.

“He is still learning to respond quickly, and he will learn a lot more from today.”