Trainer Tony McEvoy believes that promising gelding Stoker has the talent to record an upset win in the 2015 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield this weekend.
Stoker stamped himself as a 2015 Blue Diamond Stakes contender with a win in the Inglis Premier. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Stoker made his racing debut with a second place finish behind new Golden Slipper favourite Headwater in the Cactus Imaging Plate (1000m) at Moonee Valley on December 27 and was third in the James Boag’s Premium Plate (1000m) at Morphettville on January 24 before he recorded his maiden win in the Inglis Premier (1000m) at Sandown on February 7.
McEvoy told Racing Ahead this morning that Stoker was arguably unlucky not to finish closer to Headwater on his racing debut and he is confident that the two-year-old has the attributes that are required to win a Blue Diamond Stakes.
“I think that he has the right talent,” McEvoy said.
“If you think back to his first start when he made terrible mistakes in that race at Moonee Valley and ran second to Headwater, Damien (Oliver) and I thought that we would have given that horse a real race if he had not missed the start.
“That form looks pretty strong now and he has done very well since.
“He has the ability to sit right on a strong speed and he can finish strong.
“He is fast, he has good speed and very few two-year-olds can work with your older horses, but he has matched with any older horse that I have got and that is always a very good sign.”
McEvoy revealed last week that he was happy with the fitness levels of Stoker heading into the Blue Diamond Stakes and he confirmed this morning that the Written Tycoon gelding would not have another serious gallop ahead of the Group 1 event this weekend.
Stoker did an easy piece of work at the Angaston-based property of McEvoy this morning and the in-form trainer could hardly be happier with the condition of the two-year-old.
“He just came up my hill at 14 to the furlong,” McEvoy said.
“I didn’t think that he needed a gallop, he looks pretty fit and I don’t really want him any better than he was the other day.
“We decided not to gallop him and he seemed really bright and well.”
Stoker is currently available at 2015 Blue Diamond Stakes odds of $13 before the barrier draw for the race, while Fontiton ($2.50) is a clear favourite from Pride Of Dubai ($6), Of The Brave ($9) and Lake Geneva ($9).
