Ambassadorial’s form has been impressive since he joined forces with Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
Previously, he raced for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, then had a spell with Alex Rae based at Cranbourne before changing yards again.
With Waterhouse and Bott, Ambassadorial claimed three wins across 12 starts, followed by no victories in eight with Rae but including placings at Moonee Valley.
Under the McEvoy father-and-son team, the horse has placed in each of his five runs, winning the last three consecutively.
Saturday brings an opportunity to build on that in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m).
The event offers more than just the $180,000 first-place cheque; it includes a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) come October.
Ambassadorial faces 2400m for the first time on Saturday, having taken his three recent McEvoy victories at 2000m, highlighted by the Group 3 Easter Cup on April 4.
Calvin McEvoy commented that Ambassadorial pulled up ‘perfect’ from the race and the timing suits testing the longer distance with the Caulfield Cup perk in sight.
“He’s come through it (the Easter Cup) really well,” McEvoy said.
“He’s come out of it better than he went into it.”
While the extra 400m could test many, McEvoy remains confident for Ambassadorial, who has advanced from benchmark 70 to open competition this campaign and keeps surpassing expectations.
“He’s a lovely horse and the test will be the mile-and-a-half and I’m excited to see if he’ll handle it,” McEvoy said.
“(Being at) Mornington, the way he races, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem, but they gave him 15 points following that win, so there’s nowhere to hide now after winning that Group 3.”
Fourteen horses plus four emergencies form the Mornington Cup field, united in the hunt for Caulfield Cup entry.
Last season’s winner Bankers Choice is back, allocated 60kg which is 3kg more than before.
Further entrants comprise Brayden Star, American Wolf and Immediacy trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, as well as Easter Cup placegetter Sea What I See.
Discover premier racing betting markets ahead of the Mornington Cup.