McEvoy glad he applied the ultimate gear change

Darryl Sherer - Tuesday September 19

Trainer Tony McEvoy agonised over gelding one of his Listed winners but after last Saturday is glad he did.

Advertisement
Tony McEvoy trains Silvera. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Silvera won on debut at Mildura and progressed to winning the Listed Morphettville Guineas at his second start.

The son of High Chaparral was tried in the Victoria Derby but failed to deliver on that promise in four starts in the autumn, prompting McEvoy to apply the ultimate gear change.

Last Saturday Silvera resumed as a gelding with a win over 1400m at Morphettville under Jamie Kah, coming from well back to win going away.

McEvoy said he was delighted to see the four-year-old grey show something like his true form.

"I've always had a big opinion of the horse but he just wasn't putting in as a colt," McEvoy said.

"His win last Saturday was brilliant, Jamie (Kah) rode him perfectly and the horse did it easily and will have gained confidence from it."

Silvera carried 59kg to win the Benchmark 70 Handicap and McEvoy will utilise the low rating, starting at Flemington next Wednesday.

"I'm wanting to run him again quickly off the back of that good win so he'll be here at Flemington next week," McEvoy said.

"There's a Benchmark 78 race over 1630m which will suit him ideally at this stage.

"I've always thought he is capable of winning a big race but we'll just place him through his grades and build his confidence.

"He's an exciting horse and now he is more focussed on his racing."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Miss Icelandic Another Inglis Digital Stakes Success Story
Bought as a tried racemare through the 2024 Inglis Digital December Sale for $50,000, six year-old Deep Field mare Miss Icelandic scored her first stakes win on Friday night when leading all the way to win the $175,000 Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) at Cranbourne.
Fast Track 2026/27 Launches Nationally: Applications Now Open
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has officially launched applications for the 2026/27 Fast Track program — a nationally recognised traineeship designed to build the next generation of thoroughbred breeding professionals.
Breeding to Win - 2026 G1 Surround Stakes
The $750,000 Group I ATC Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday brings together the best three year old fillies in Australia, so who are the top chances? 
One to Watch – Canterbury
Extreme Choice was a brilliant sprinter and has thrown his share of brilliant sprinters, but as with great champion sires of the past, he can also get a stayer such as Melbourne Cup hero Knight’s Choice and VRC Oaks winner She’s Extreme.
Opportunities Present as Latest Magic Millions Digital Sale Opens
Bidding is now open the latest Magic Millions Digital Sale (27 February-4 March) with great opportunities across all ages and categories.
Sires With Winners - Friday February 27
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kingsclere seeking another Derby with Ocean Park Filly
Kingsclere Stables have an exciting week ahead of them, with promising mare She’s A Dealer shooting for black-type at Trentham on Sunday, while six days later the Cambridge barn will hold a strong hand in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
The Story of Surround - Best 3YO Filly Ever
The only Group I race in Australia for three year-old fillies run at less than a mile, the $750,000 Group I ATC Surround Stakes (1400m) is named in honour of the only three year-old filly to ever win a Cox Plate, so who was she?
Timing is Everything - Newhaven Park Present Streisand Half-Brother
When entries were taken for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale last year a colt by Star Witness from Zouper Star was hardly seen as a standout offering, but events of the last six months will have this youngster as one of the must inspect horses of the sale.
First Winner for Tiger of Malay
Newgate Farm is home to champion sire Extreme Choice and also his promising young sire son Tiger of Malay, who broke the ice with his first winner at Canterbury on Friday night.