McEvoy glad he applied the ultimate gear change

Darryl Sherer - Tuesday September 19

Trainer Tony McEvoy agonised over gelding one of his Listed winners but after last Saturday is glad he did.

Advertisement
Tony McEvoy trains Silvera. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Silvera won on debut at Mildura and progressed to winning the Listed Morphettville Guineas at his second start.

The son of High Chaparral was tried in the Victoria Derby but failed to deliver on that promise in four starts in the autumn, prompting McEvoy to apply the ultimate gear change.

Last Saturday Silvera resumed as a gelding with a win over 1400m at Morphettville under Jamie Kah, coming from well back to win going away.

McEvoy said he was delighted to see the four-year-old grey show something like his true form.

"I've always had a big opinion of the horse but he just wasn't putting in as a colt," McEvoy said.

"His win last Saturday was brilliant, Jamie (Kah) rode him perfectly and the horse did it easily and will have gained confidence from it."

Silvera carried 59kg to win the Benchmark 70 Handicap and McEvoy will utilise the low rating, starting at Flemington next Wednesday.

"I'm wanting to run him again quickly off the back of that good win so he'll be here at Flemington next week," McEvoy said.

"There's a Benchmark 78 race over 1630m which will suit him ideally at this stage.

"I've always thought he is capable of winning a big race but we'll just place him through his grades and build his confidence.

"He's an exciting horse and now he is more focussed on his racing."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Delacroix Brings Dubawi Outcross to Coolmore Roster
Blueblood 3YO Dubawi colt Delacroix has been retired and the dual Group I winner will stand at Coolmore in Ireland in 2026.
TBA Mourn Passing of So You Think
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse join the wider industry in mourning the passing of So You Think, one of the modern greats of the Australian turf and a truly elite sire.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
Magic Millions - The Book
The famous US sports journo, Red Smith, once proclaimed that : “writing is easy … I just sit down at my typewriter and open a vein”.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
2025 G1 Cox Plate Field and Barrier Draw
A field of nine has been finalised for the 2025 Cox Plate with favourite Via Sistina drawing gate seven for Chris Waller and James McDonald, while one three-year-old has accepted to run in Nepotism.
Cambridge Stud Celebrate Ceolwulf Victory
Homebred Ceolwulf’s successful defence of his Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title ensured Cambridge Stud celebrated a top day at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Monday October 20
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.