Australian Guineas winner Hey Doc has wrapped up his preparation for the Group 1 $1m Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday with a slick gallop at the track last weekend.
Hey Doc, above, galloped stylishly at Morphettville in between races in preparaion for The Goodwood. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Hey Doc galloped in between races at Morphettville on South Australian Derby Day last Saturday and trainer Tony McEvoy was surprised with the way the three year old completed his work with Luke Currie in the saddle.
“He’s usually a very casual worker. This was just about getting him away from home and changing up his routine,” McEvoy told The Advertiser.
“I was pleased with the work just watching it … and liked it more when I heard from Luke.
“He said he was getting very fired up but he got over his neck and he relaxed. Then he quickened and then when he slapped him at the furlong he quickened again under him. He said he really picked up, which is very good for him.”
Hey Doc proved to be the best three year old miler during the 2017 Melbourne Autumn Carnival with a win in the Group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 4 and then went Sydney to finish ninth against the older horses in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 1.
McEvoy had the job of freshening up Hey Doc since his Doncaster Mile run and while he is happy with the gelding’s progress as he prepares to take on the older horses again in the Goodwood, the Angaston trainer is a little concerned about the set weights and penalties conditions of the Goodwood.
Being a Group 1 winning three year old Hey Doc will have to carry 57kg, while last year’s winner and five times Group 1 winner Black Heart Bart only has 2kg more with 59kg.
“I’m very pleased to have him (in the Goodwood) but the conditions of the race don’t suit a three-year-old, especially when they’ve won a Group 1 with the weight he’s got to carry,” McEvoy said.
“And you look at his 1200m form and you’d say it’s not good enough to win a Group 1 at that distance.
“But, look, he’s a solid horse and a great competitor. I think you’ll find he’ll run very well.
“He was explosive at 1400m and you need a tough horse to win a 1200m Goodwood. I think he fits the bill really well, provided he’s fast enough at 1200m. He’s got a lovely base of fitness through those couple of big miles.
“My job is to have him nice and sharp for next Saturday.”
Hey Doc is currently marked at $13 for The Goodwood alongside of the Robert Sangster Stakes winner Secret Agenda at Ladbrokes.com.au while the Darren Weir trained Black Heart Bart sits at the top of the market order at $3 to win back to back Goodwoods.
Early market order for The Goodwood at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3 Black Heart Bart, $7 Vega Magic, $8 Malaguerra, $13 Hey Doc, Secret Agenda, $15 Illustrious Lad, $17 First Among Equals, Kaepernick, Zebulon, $21 Lucky Liberty, Viddora, $26 Bassett, Faatinah, Fuhryk, Malibu Style, Missrock, Rageese, Santa Ana Lane, Super Cash, Sweet Sherry, $34 or better the rest.
