Sledmere Stud yearling sale graduate Veight played a major role in one of Australian Racing’s premier events when finishing a valiant runner-up in the $3 million, Group 1, Neds Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at just the sixth start of his blossoming career.
Already a Group 2 (VRC Sires’ Produce) winner as a 2-year-old and Group 3 (MRC McNeil Stakes) winner at his first start as a 3-year-old, Veight put a Group 1 placing on his CV when chasing home Griff in the time honoured Caulfield Guineas contested by 15 of the finest sophomore colts and geldings in the land.
Afforded an outstanding ride by Damian Lane when jumping from barrier 1, the first-crop son of Grunt (NZ) hugged the running rail throughout the assignment before looming as a definite winning chance halfway down the straight.
The closing stages witnessed race leader Griff veer alarmingly from a straight course and impede Veight’s final challenge, though not considered to be sufficiently enough for connections to lodge a protest.
The final wash-up of this year’s Caulfield Guineas is that Griff scored by one and three-quarter lengths from Veight, with the previously unbeaten Steparty claiming third. Illustrating the depth of the race is the fact that Queensland Winter Carnival Group 1 winner King Colorado finished fourth and three-time Group 1 winner Militarize (NZ) fifth.
Speaking after his ride aboard Veight, Damian Lane stated: “He ran super. He traveled in the run great, [and] when I got out I thought I was a winning chance … unfortunately the winner had an answer when I got to him and he was really strong over that last 150. He’s back to his best, tried hard and unfortunately the winner was too good on the day.”
Veight has now faced the starter on six occasions and amassed $954,990 in earnings following three wins — two Group races — and a Group 1 second placing.
Veight was pinhooked as a weanling by Sledmere Stud and Cangon P/L before being sold for $220,000 to McEvoy Mitchell Racing / Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Now trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, he races for an ownership group which comprises Pipeliner Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Mr R J Pawsey, Mr T J Kirkwood, Mr J K Mackay, Telemon Stud, Mr A J Parrish, Mr R Shelley, Mr M Twycross & Sledmere Stud.
Senior co-trainer Tony McEvoy spoke to racing.com the day after Veight’s effort in the Caulfield Guineas and indicated that the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) will be the next assignment for the top-class Sledmere Stud sales graduate.