The imported galloper Nearco Frod is aiming for his fifth successive win and a potential start in the Melbourne Cup when he lines up at Flemington.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained stayer will compete in the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) this Saturday, a race that carries a ballot exemption for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) to be held at Flemington on November 3.
Nearco Frod began his career in France, securing two wins from his initial three starts before transferring to the McEvoys in Australia.
While his Australian debut was gradual, the gelding is now fully acclimatised and has strung together four consecutive victories from 13 career starts.
His winning streak commenced with a victory at Sandown on July 1, followed by another win at the same track two weeks later.
Nearco Frod then made his way to Flemington, providing Blake Shinn with a winner on his first ride back from injury on August 1, before again proving successful at Sandown on August 22.
Calvin McEvoy admitted that Nearco Frod had been a ‘real suprise’ to the stable.
“It just shows that you need to have some patience with these imports and to win five in a row is very difficult for any horse,” McEvoy said.
“He’s very fit and we keep him happy at home.
“He’s bouncing around and I can’t see any reason why he can’t put up another good performance and it would be very exciting for connections to win that Golden Ticket.”
There will inevitably be comparisons made to stablemate Half Yours, who last year progressed through the grades to win both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
McEvoy indicated that keeping European stayers in regular work is essential.
“You have to keep these horses up,” McEvoy commented.
“I wouldn’t have thought he would get four in a row to be honest.
“He’s not an overly big horse, but he’s very fit, great lungs, which allows us to not overtax him in training.
“That is an asset in a stayer that will get them a long way and it prolong preparations, and if he happened to get a Golden Ticket, of course we would give him the opportunity.”
For those interested in the Melbourne Cup path, examining the online bookmakers might offer early betting opportunities on Nearco Frod.
