McEvoy stable launches two-pronged Debutant Stakes attack
Tony and Calvin McEvoy will saddle up two promising youngsters in Wednesday's $200,000 Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield.
Yulong-owned colt Royal Press makes his racetrack debut after winning an 800m trial at Caulfield Heath on October 1.
Stablemate Maalefushi brings race experience, having finished a solid second on debut in heavy conditions at Flemington on October 3. Just seven runners will contest the early-season juvenile feature.
Half Yours draws seven, Cosmic Crusader out wide
The barrier draw for Saturday's $6 million Caulfield Cup has been completed, with defending champion Half Yours landing barrier seven.
The 57.5kg topweight has drawn favourably as he attempts to become a back-to-back winner of the famous handicap.
However, leading contender Cosmic Crusader faces a tougher assignment after drawing barrier 17. The Turnbull Stakes winner will need to overcome the wide gate as he steps up to 2400m for the first time.
Wide draws test Thousand Guineas favourites
Two leading contenders for Saturday's Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) have been dealt difficult barriers, with favourite Regal Ambition and unbeaten filly Over The Bridge both drawing wide.
History suggests they have a task ahead. Over the past decade, only Amphitrite in 2018 has won the race from a double-figure barrier. Just three other fillies drawn in double figures have managed to finish in the placings during that period.
Everest barrier draw tonight
The countdown to Saturday's $20 million Everest continues, with the official barrier draw taking place tonight.
The draw will be broadcast live from 8pm on 7plus and Sky Thoroughbred Central, revealing where the contenders will jump from in the world's richest turf race.
Warwoven confirms his superstar status
Warwoven has further stamped himself as Australia's leading three-year-old following his dominant Group 1 Caulfield Guineas victory.
The colt produced a 103 WFA Performance Rating, slightly below the outstanding 105.5 he recorded winning the Golden Rose at his previous start.
Importantly, the performance was more than a length superior to the 10-year Caulfield Guineas winner average of 101, underlining the quality of his back-to-back Group 1 victories. Full ratings wrap here.
58 remain in Melbourne Cup contention
The field for the 166th Melbourne Cup is taking shape, with 58 horses remaining following Tuesday's second declarations for the $10.2 million feature.
Ciaron Maher leads the way with 14 acceptors, headed by last year's placegetter Middle Earth, alongside ballot-exempt runners Mr Monaco and Shockletz.
Two-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O'Brien has nine horses remaining, including Defiantly and James J Braddock, as he prepares another powerful international assault. Chris Waller also has nine contenders, including Aeliana, ATC Oaks winner Ohope Wins and Herbert Power Stakes winner Pinhole.
Pinhole bypasses Caulfield Cup
Chris Waller has elected to bypass Saturday's Group 1 Caulfield Cup with emerging stayer Pinhole, despite the gelding earning a ballot exemption with his Herbert Power Stakes victory.
Waller believes the seven-day turnaround is too demanding for the developing stayer, particularly with a potential Melbourne Cup campaign ahead. Instead, Pinhole is likely to head to the Moonee Valley Gold Cup at Flemington on Cox Plate Day.
He's still a young horse, still developing and I think spacing his races is best.
Apprentice gets dream Caulfield Cup opportunity
Apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone has been handed a huge opportunity by his master Ciaron Maher, securing the ride aboard Kings Valley in Saturday's Caulfield Cup.
It will be Johnstone's first Group 1 ride, and it comes in one of Australia's most prestigious races. Kings Valley has been allocated just 51kg, giving the young rider a chance to make his mark on the biggest stage.
Treasurethe Moment confirmed for Caulfield Cup
Treasurethe Moment will back up in Saturday's Group 1 Caulfield Cup, with Daniel Stackhouse booked to ride.
The star mare will tackle the 2400m feature just seven days after her latest run, adding another major name to an intriguing edition of the $6 million race.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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