Veight’s Australia Stakes win

Star three-year-old Veight returned to racing with an impressive win in the Group 2 Sharp EIT Solutions Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday, January 27.

Veight, trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, became the first three-year-old to win the weight-for-age event since Holler in 2016.

Ridden by Damian Lane, the colt, the firm $2.15 favourite, won by a short neck from Southport Tycoon ($5) with Recommendation ($3.20) a head away third.

Veight settled just off the pace early in the feature, but Recommendation, up front, went for home before turning for home giving him something to chase.

The McEvoy-trained three-year-old was up for the challenge but was himself a sitting shot for Southport Tycoon which had trailed him into the race.

In a thrilling finish, Veight found the winning post to claim the victory.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy was delighted by Veight’s win.

“That was bloody exciting,” McEvoy said.

“He is a very nice colt, and the plan was always to kick him off here.

“He actually never went out of work.

“He went down to Fulmen Park, and they did a great job.

“His work had been super, but we really noticed him switch on over the past four or five days.

“He had to chase there but he really knuckled down to the job which is what you want to see these colts do.

“He has proved himself against the older horses now, let’s hope we can do it again next time.”

McEvoy said a trip to Burumbeet had been crucial to prepare Veight for his comeback.

“Damian (Lane) wasn’t too impressed making the journey because it was raining and hailing, but Veight was very good. More importantly was the trip here on Tuesday morning, once he got home he had his chest puffed out.

“The plan is going to the Orr (Stakes) and the Futurity, and we will keep the door open for the Australian Guineas.

“He is explosive at these 1200 and 1400 metre trips.

“Congratulations to the wonderful ownership group of Wayne Mitchell, Ray Pawsey, Robyn Parker and Sledmere Stud, there is a big group, and it is fantastic.”

McEvoy said the Newmarket was also a possibility later in the campaign.

“When we targeted the Coolmore last preparation it was off a Guineas campaign, and it wasn’t ideal.”

Winning jockey Damian Lane praised Veight for his tenacity.

“He broke really well but was beaten for a touch of speed early,” Lane said.

“I was probably two lengths further away from Recommendation than was ideal.

“I would have loved to be on his back, but it didn’t work out that way.

“Recommendation gave a good kick and I had to chase him from a long way out.

“As I started to build momentum I felt Southport Tycoon and I thought I might have brought myself undone chasing the leader, but to his credit, he is so tough, he digs in when it counts, and it was a really good win.”

“I pulled out and set sail 50 metres earlier than was ideal, especially for a horse that is coming in off one jump out, he showed good tenacity to win.”