South Australian horseman Tony McEvoy isn’t one to dawdle for the trainer has purchased a property at Hawkesbury in a bid to grow the 70 horse stable.
Seven gallopers arrived at the “lovely five acre complex” on Wednesday and imports Mouro and Saint Desir will be in action on Saturday.
The former French gallopers contest suitable events at the Hawkesbury Race Clubs successful and ever expanding stand-alone Saturday meeting which will see $940,000 in stakes carved up.
“The new property gives us more options,” McEvoy said on Friday.
“While the prizemoney in NSW is good, it was not about that, it was about gaining more horses, more owners.
“There are 48 boxes, a walker, good shedding, a horse pool, a couple of paddocks. It was about growing our base, I found it difficult to do that at home, I had to go where the people are, I found this property and I’m thrilled with it.”
McEvoy was a vital member of the famed Hayes racing empire which saw the late Colin Hayes set up a magnificent, training, spelling and breeding farm in South Australia which is known all over as Lindsay Park.
Having decided to go it alone three years ago McEvoy purchased “280 acres” at Lindsay Park which he described as “a beautiful property” which is “on going”.
There are 70 horses in work at Lindsay Park but the main focus at this point is Mouro and Saint Desir for McEvoy is keen to continue a successful trot in Sydney.
Earlier this year imports Le Roi and Pelicano netted features. Le Roi won the Summer Cup while Pelicano carted off the Parramatta equivalent.
A winner at a low-key meeting in France Mouro won his first two starts in Adelaide and goes into the Hawkesbury assignment coming off a second at Moonee Valley.
“I thought he was a bit cunning the other day,” McEvoy said.
“I’ve put the blinkers and a tongue tie on him for tomorrow. I’ve been pleased with him.”
Saint Desir returned from a spell when beating one home over 1600m at Randwick on April 1 but don’t be discouraged.
“A nice staying horse,” McEvoy said.
“On face value he was disappointing at Randwick but this is the first time he has been out to a distance for me and I think he is a mile and a half horse.
“I’m hoping up to this distance he’ll improve, he needs to step up and run well, I’m confident he will.”
By Craig Young
