Madrid on the steel in Caulfield Stakes preparation

Brad Waters - Wednesday October 4

He won't be known as Steel Of Madrid much longer but the imported galloper has pleased new trainer Tony McEvoy with the way he has settled in at the Werribee quarantine centre.

Lope De Vega wrote the play The Steel of Madrid. You learn something every day at Racenet!

McEvoy first laid eyes on Steel Of Madrid on Sunday before the son of Lope De Vega cantered over 1400m on the Werribee course proper on Tuesday morning.

Unfortunately for connections, Steel Of Madrid won't carry his current name when he debuts in Saturday week's Caulfield Stakes because a Tony Noonan-trained galloper carries that moniker in Australia.

"We have got to change his name and we couldn't change it until he arrived so they are in the process of changing his name," McEvoy said.

"Because he is staying here, it has to be a different name. If they come and then leave they can put a 'my' or an 'our' on the front like the Kiwis."

McEvoy said his son Calvin stayed in England for nine weeks preparing Steel Of Madrid for his Australian trip, getting the five-year-old on an Australian-style feeding regimen as soon as possible.

McEvoy said Steel Of Madrid's maiden Australian preparation would consist of three Group I starts but he expects the entire to improve on whatever he does in the spring.

"He's a 2000m horse. That's what he is," McEvoy said. "He can run a mile-and-a-half but the three races are the Caulfield Stakes, Cox Plate and the Mackinnon (Stakes) that we thought we'd run him in.

"In the Cox Plate, there's a hurdle there with a mare called Winx, but they are the races we have bought him for and we'll run him.

"We won't be expecting too much this year. We'll be learning about him but I don't think Winx will be around next year and this horse will be better next year."

McEvoy said Steel Of Madrid, a Group III winner in England, would do a quicker piece of work on Wednesday but was unlikely to have a hard gallop before the Caulfield Stakes.

"I'm just going to trust him. He has been in work all year, this horse, so he won't be doing much going into the Caulfield Stakes," McEvoy said.

"He'll have his serious hit-out on the 14thof October at Caulfield, hopefully. "

Advertisment
More Reading...
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.