McEvoy stars in line for international duty

TRAINERS Tony and Calvin McEvoy are plotting an ambitious assault on global sprint features with the stable’s Group 1 stars Hey Doc and Sunlight.

Hey Doc could head to Dubai for the $2.8 million Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on March 29 before returning via Hong Kong, subject to quarantine conditions.

“We’re still in talks about Dubai,” Tony McEvoy said. “I’ve got to find out when we can get in and when we can get out in terms of the quarantine.

“We’re keen to go but I just need that information before we can make a decision.

“If it all worked out, we would then possibly head to Hong Kong for the big sprint (Chairman’s Sprint Prize) there in April.”

Winner of the Manikato Stakes and Australian Guineas, Hey Doc logged a third Group 1 in devastating fashion in the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot last month.

McEvoy has mapped out a provisional program for the gelding, including the Australia Stakes and Canterbury Stakes before a possible international sortie.

“If Dubai works out, he would then head there and on to Hong Kong,” he said. “After that, we’d look at The Everest (at Randwick in October).”

Triple Group 1 winner Sunlight could head to Royal Ascot, depending on how she continues to recover from minor surgery.

The mare required an operation to remove two fragments of bone which had been loosened from her splint bone.

“I won’t make any plans until I’m absolutely certain she has fully recovered,” McEvoy said. “She’s back in the stable, but I’ll be keeping my hands off her for another three weeks.

“We’ll take our time with her and when she’s ready we can think about Royal Ascot.

“If she’s fully recovered, we’d be keen to go.”

McEvoy is uncertain how Sunlight suffered the injury.

“She could have hit herself on a post or she might have been kicked by her sister (Sisstar),” he said.

Several Australian speedsters could head abroad next year. Among those under consideration for overseas assignments are Yes Yes Yes, Nature Strip, Brutal and Exceedance.