Ollie ride sickens trainer

Derby favourite to miss race after being ‘bullied’

AN irate Tony McEvoy has scratched favourite Royal Symphony from Saturday’s Victoria Derby after his torrid run in the Cox Plate.

McEvoy was furious with Damien Oliver’s tactics on Happy Clapper, saying it was the reason the horse will miss the Derby.

Oliver was suspended for 20 meetings on a charge of improper riding on Happy Clapper for shifting in on Royal Symphony in the early stages of the race.

His appeal against the suspension will be heard today by the Racing and Appeals Disciplinary Board at 4.15pm.

At stake is whether he will ride at Flemington carnival and whether he can fulfil his engagement on equal $7 Melbourne Cup favourite Almandin

McEvoy said Happy Clapper leant in on Royal Symphony for 1000m.

“He’s cost us third in a Cox Plate and now he’s cost us a Derby as well,” he said.

“He looks like a kid who has been bullied by bigger kids.

“I was sickened by what I saw. I couldn’t believe what was happening. We know we were in a big race but [Dean] Yendall was entitled to hold his spot. I understand ‘Ollie’ wanted to get across but we were entitled to stay where we were. He persisted for 1000m though and bullied our horse.

“He’s pulled up with lacerations and knowing he’s had a run

“I’m gobsmacked with the tactics. It was a massive run from my horse.”

McEvoy said he also left Moonee Valley with his confidence dented after seeing Aloisia win the Vase and firm into odds on favourite.

He has the $7 third favourite Bring Me Roses set for The Oaks and she will start in the Wakeful Stakes on Saturday.

McEvoy also will have Cool Passion contest the Myer Classic and Hey Doc in the Darley Classic the following Saturday.

He said he was especially proud of Hey Doc’s win in the Manikato Stakes.

“We backed our judgment that he was a Group 1 sprinter and he’s proved it. That’s where he will spend the rest of his racing days,” he said.

McEvoy said he was weighing up whether to start Hey Doc in the Winterbottom Stakes in Perth on December 2 or wait for the Lightning Stakes.