McEvoy to commence Caulfield Guineas campaign on Saturday

Trainer Tony McEvoy will start one of his better three-year-olds at Flemington on Saturday with the Group I Caulfield Guineas the ultimate spring aim.

Azazel is joint topweight with the Lindsay Park Racing-trained Madeenaty on 60kg for the Open Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1000m and McEvoy is delighted with the way the son of Snitzel came through his jumpout on the straight course last Friday.

Azazel was ridden along after halfway to win his 800m heat in 47.47 seconds and McEvoy said the hitout has had the desired effect.

"I'm really pleased with him, he's come out of it well and the jumpout has improved him," McEvoy said.

"His first jumpout was pretty soft so I wanted him to have a solid hitout because I thought he needed it.

"Luke (Currie) said he settled well and then when he picked him up he changed nicely."

Azazel won the Inglis 2YO on debut at Moonee Valley in October and last raced on February 11 when fourth to Property in the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude over 1100m at Caulfield.

McEvoy said Azazel's constitution encourages him to believe the colt can perform further than the minimum sprint distances.

"He has done very well here at Flemington and eats everything you put in front of him which is a great advantage," McEvoy said.

"We had a little bit of work done on his throat while he was off - we didn't have to but we just wanted to be absolutely certain of giving him his best chance this preparation.

"Essentially I think he will make into a miler and we will aim him at the Caulfield Guineas later, they call it the stallion making race so we'll give him his chance.

"He's by the champion Snitzel from a stout Aga Khan female family and I'd like to stretch him out and see how far he takes us."

Currie will ride Azazel on Saturday.