Training partners Tony and Calvin McEvoy will have two final chances to win a Group 1 race before the gate is shut at their training property at Angaston in South Australia.
Both Savatoxl and Frankie Pinot featured among the acceptances for Saturday’s The Goodwood at Morphettville.
Savatoxl, who is rated a 16/1 chance, will be attempting to defend his title in the race following last year’s two-length success and Calvin McEvoy reported the gelding to be in top order.
Savatoxl returns to form
A last-start second in the Group 3 DC McKay Stakes at Morphettville on 7th May gave McEvoy confidence that Savatoxl, who will jump from gate seven on Saturday, was back in form.
It followed a poor 11th first-up at Sale on Good Friday where he was diagnosed with a case of the thumps post-race.
"We were confused out of Sale," McEvoy said. "It was a funny race, shifty track and he pulled-up with the thumps and that explains everything. Initially we were disappointed, so we just had to put a line through it."
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Savatoxl travelled back to Angaston to prepare for the McKay Stakes and a repeat win in The Goodwood in which he carries 2.5 kilograms more this time around. McEvoy said he had trained-on well, but did not get any benefit out of his first-up run.
McEvoy added: "Being taken on from the 800 (metres) last time just made it a tough run and his condition gave out late, but it was nice to see him back."
Rain could favour Frankie
Stablemate Frankie Pinot, who can be backed at 33/1, is likely to have his hopes enhanced should the rain fall in the lead-up to The Goodwood after his first-up win in the Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool on May 4th.
"The heavy track at Warrnambool really brought him into that race, but he's come through that run and he's in terrific order," McEvoy concluded.
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