Hey Doc checks out for Guineas

Hey Doc is putting his hand up to be Tony McEvoy’s next stable star and can go a long way towards that goal in the Caulfield Guineas today.

The trainer had hoped Alpine Eagle would be a big- race player this spring but the 5- year- old has likely run his last race.

As for Hey Doc being a potential star, McEvoy said the 3- year- old was “putting his vote in” with his spring performances.

“I’ve got Don’t Doubt Mamma, of course, but she and this horse have been flying the flag very well for the stable,” the trainer said.

Don’t Doubt Mamma has won back- to- back group t wo races this spring.

Hey Doc i s unbeaten this campaign, beginning with a benchmark race at Sandown before two victories at Moonee Valley, including last Friday night’s Stutt Stakes.

He has won his way to a shot at the Caulfield Guineas ( 1600m).

“That’s exactly what he has done, because at the start of the prepar- ation, whilst I had him nominated in the Guineas it was never really on the radar,” McEvoy said. “I was just going to take him through and see how far he ran and see if I could get him out to a Derby trip.

“And here we are lining up in the Guineas and it’s very exciting. I’m very proud of the horse for getting us there.”

Hey Doc is at $ 10, with Impending ($ 4.50) and Divine Prophet ($ 5) the favourites.

McEvoy believes the market has it right as he rates the Sydney colts as the ones to beat.

“This is another level again, I fully respect that, but I think there’d be a lot of people who would like to be saddling him up in this race, the way he’s going,” McEvoy said of Hey Doc. “I think he’s got a hope for sure.” McEvoy concedes barrier 13 is a concern though and makes things more difficult.

“We’ve just got to make a decision what we’re going to do with how we think the race will unfold,” he said.

When a star trio of colts emerged amid Hawkes Racing’s 3- year- old winning spree, Swear was anointed the stayer of the bunch to be sent on a group one charge.

He gets his first chance to repay the faith in the Spring Champion Stakes over 2000m at Randwick today.

Stablemate Divine Prophet will also contest a group one race in the Caulfield Guineas ( 1600m), while the third member of the high- flying trio Star Turn, will run in the group two Schillachi Stakes over 1100m.

Swear finished sixth after being squeezed for room in the final 200m of the Gloaming Stakes, less than a length from winner Veladero.

“You’ve just got to put a line through last start. He got too far back,” co- trainer Michael Hawkes said. Before the Gloaming, Swear won the Ming Dynasty Quality on September 3 and Hawkes described him as a stayer on the up.

While barrier 11 of 11 is not ideal, Hawkes believes Swear has the quality to overcome the widest gate.

“Unfortunately, he’s drawn awkward but you know what? He gets his chance to win because he’s a good colt,” Hawkes said. “He’s a good chance.” If Swear is a member of Hawkes Racing’s rock star group of 3- year- old colts, Ready Fire Aim is for now, in one of the support acts.

He is one of two maidens in the Spring Champion, along with the Pat Carey- trained Khartoum, but Hawkes believes his spot is justified.

“We’re throwing him in the deep end but he’s definitely got the ability to be there,” Hawkes said.

Ready Fire Aim was defeated in a Hawkesbury maiden last start as he stretched out to 1800m for the first time.

“He’s probably looking for further,” Hawkes said.

Swear is at $ 6 for the Spring Champion behind Yankee Rose who i s $ 2.60 favourite to become the first filly to win the race, and Prized Icon at $ 3.50. Ready Fire Aim is a $ 51 chance.