Last year’s Melbourne Cup champion Half Yours faces an anxious wait on his soundness to participate in Saturday’s Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) after he was found to be lame on Friday morning.
The gelding, who famously won the Caulfield Cup before cementing his folklore status in the race that stops the nation, was experiencing “mild lameness in the right hind leg”, according to Queensland chief steward Josh Adams when trotted up on the race’s eve.
However, Tony McEvoy, who trains the chestnut alongside son Calvin, insisted there was no problem.
“I’ve got no qualms with the horse whatsoever,” McEvoy told Racenet.
“The horse is normal to my eye, and normal to my riders.
“He is a five-year-old stayer and they have just got him out of his box and trotted him up.”
Adams said Half Yours must have further checks on race morning prior to scratching time to satisfy stewards he is OK to participate without injury concern.
The son of little-known stallion St Jean is a $3.80 hope for the cup behind Pride Of Jenni ($3.40f) and Birdman ($3.50).
Pride Of Jenni met an almost identical field in the Hollindale Stakes (1800m) two weeks ago, running riot with her typical front-running style to salute.
The only new opponents are Vauban ($9.50) and Asterix ($13). Adrian Bott, who prepares Vauban alongside Gai Waterhouse, said any race with Pride Of Jenni creates a dilemma for her rivals.
“We know the style of races that Pride Of Jenni runs and Vauban is versatile,” Bott said.
“But I’m not sure that we have the natural speed to go near Pride Of Jenni, even if we wanted to do it.
“Vauban is a horse we haven’t seen up on speed absorbing a stack of pressure in previous races.
“This race presents a difficult scenario, and it is not straightforward tactically.
“If Jenni is a long way in front and allowed to coast around and no one goes near her, it’s not going to suit those trying to chase her down.
“If there’s two races within the race, it won’t be ideal.”
Brisbane Racing Club have partnered with XXXX Gold, announcing that patrons can collect a free beer should Pride Of Jenni or Half Yours win the race.
Last year’s winner Antino – who was one of the leading fancies for the race only weeks ago before his retirement – will lead the field out on to the track.
+ William Pike is favoured to win the main contest at Belmont on Saturday when he partners Rainline ($3.10f) in the $100,000 Racing WA Provincial Series Final (1400m).
The new Hall Of Fame inductee also steers Luna Will Do ($2.40f), Like Clockwork ($2.90), Fast Harry ($3.60), Riva Aquarama ($3.20), Spectacular Park ($10), Antique Queen ($15) and Mississippi Dawn ($5f), giving him excellent claims of riding multiple winners on the afternoon.
