Gallop has McEvoy pair ready for Moonee Valley on Saturday

Darryl Sherer - Tuesday August 22

One of his best track workers gave trainer Tony McEvoy a guide on the progress of a last start winner at Moonee Valley on Tuesday.

Roomooz (outside) and Azazel towards the finish of their gallop on Tuesday. Photo: Darryl Sherer

McEvoy paired Azazel with Roomooz in a gallop over 1000m and was satisfied after watching them quicken up comfortably over the last 400m in 24.61 seconds.

"She (Roomooz) is one of the best workers in the stable so to see him (Azazel) work like that has me very happy with both of them," McEvoy said.

Both three-year-olds are intended runners on Saturday, Azazel in the Listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) and Roomooz to resume in the Three-Year-Old Fillies Plate over 1200m

Azazel won first-up over 1000m at Flemington on August 5 and McEvoy said the son of Snitzel has thrived since.

"He won here on debut and I was keen to get him back to the course for another look - that work was just what I was wanting to see," McEvoy said.

"He was nice and sharp and has made good improvement from his last start - he's come in the coat, is stronger and feeling very well in himself.

"He's a big gross colt and we have to watch his weight so racing is good for him."

Azazel has not raced beyond 1100m but McEvoy feels the extra distance of Saturday's race will suit.

"I've always wanted to get him out in trip and I'm looking forward to seeing him on Saturday," McEvoy said.

"He's from a stout Aga Khan family on his female side and my plan is to get him to the Caulfield Guineas but we'll see what happens on Saturday."

Tuesday was the first time at Moonee Valley for Roomooz and McEvoy said he is glad he resisted the temptation to start the daughter of Fastnet Rock last Saturday at Caulfield.

"I was thinking of starting there in the Quezette (Stakes) but when I saw Catchy was going to run I asked myself if she needed a test like that first-up," McEvoy said.

"I'm glad we didn't go as the extra week has done her the world of good."

Winner on debut at Morphettville over 1000m, Roomooz has not raced since finishing eighth to Catchy in the Group I Blue Diamond Stakes in February but looked sharp in a recent 800m jumpout at Flemington.

"She's physically a better filly this time around and I'm very pleased with her," McEvoy said. "Luke (Currie) said she was comfortable on the course and racegoers will see a better filly here on Saturday than in the autumn - she's ready to go." McEvoy said.

Advertisment
More Reading...
More Group Success for Kiwi Bred Western Empire
The resurgence of a former superstar of Perth racing continued when Western Empire lived up to his $1.85 favouritism in Saturday’s Gr.3 Furphy Belmont Sprint (1400m).
The Melbourne Cup is on The Map for Andrew Ramsden Stakes Winner
A fortnight after her near four-length romp in the Group III Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2500m) at Morphettville, The Map reserved a spot in the 2024 Melbourne Cup with another strong staying performance in Saturday's Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington.
Bella Nipotina Wins G1 Doomben 10,000
Pride of Dubai mare Bella Nipotina has been a busy girl this year lining up in five million dollar sprint races before heading to Doomben for the $1.5million BRC Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on Saturday and the Ciaron Maher trained six year-old pulled out her A game to down the favourite I Wish I Win in a thriller.
Stakes Filly for Golden Slipper Winner Estijaab
A $1.7million Inglis Easter purchase for Emirates Park, Snitzel filly Estijaab won the 2018 Golden Slipper for Emirates Park before embarking on a stud career in the Northern Hemisphere and her first born Frankel filly Ejaabiyah gained Black Type on Saturday in the UK when finishing a good second in the Listed Newbury Fillies Trial Stakes (1m2f)
Thoroughbreds are Go Returns to Sky on Monday Night
Caroline Searcy’s informative and entertaining thoroughbred re-homing television program Thoroughbreds Are Go (TAG) returns for Series 1 in 2024 this Monday night May 20.
Estijaab's Daughter Ejaabiyah Second at Newbury
After hacking up by six lengths at her only start at two, Ejaabiyah, a daughter of Frankel and the Golden Slipper winner Estijaab, fell two and a quarter lengths short of catching Godolphin's exciting Shamardal filly Diamond Rain in the Listed Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial Stakes (10f) at Newbury on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 18
Here is the full list of 115 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ciaron Maher Cheers On Melbourne Cup Hopeful at Newbury
The Melbourne Cup remains in play for Middle Earth and his new part owner, Ciaron Maher, after making a successful 2024 bow in the Group III Aston Park Stakes at Newbury.
Invincible Filly Proves Her Class
She’s big and beautiful and I Am Invincible’s super talented filly Commemorative has long promised to win a stakes race and joined all the dots at Scone on Saturday finishing like an express train to win the $200,000 Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) in a breeze.
Pedigree Watch – UK – Another G1 Upset
Renowned UK farm Cheveley Park Stud were expected to win the Group I Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (1m) at Newbury overnight with a homebred and they did, but not with the one punters were thinking.