Tony and Calvin McEvoy look to have a smart 3yo on their hands as Impending colt Options wins the Listed VRC Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and could now be aimed towards the $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) on November 1.
With Harry Coffey in the saddle, who had ridden him in all his prior starts, Options was taken back to fourth last where he settled just ahead of the Nick Ryan trained race favourite Miewa (Maurice), while after some jostling for position upfront, Crown Of Russia (Russian Camelot) took the lead.
With the field maintaining their positions until just before the home turn, Coffey was forced to go even further back to go around Miewa who had started to make up ground on his outside.
As Chirs Waller’s Justify colt Officiate ambled up to the leader under James McDonald, Miewa was commencing his run down the outside while Options was a further two lengths back starting to wind up.
As Options raced to Miewa, the pair went stride by stride to the line, with the Godolphin colt getting his head in front when it mattered.
“He’s a beautiful colt and well bred,” enthused Calvin McEvoy post-race.
“It is exciting for our team and credit to Harry. We had a discussion about taking the blinkers off and we both felt that he’d learn more having to race without them and he was fantastic.
One of a few sent to the yard from Godolphin, McEvoy can’t speak highly enough of the quality horses.
“They’re well-bred horses and it is a privilege to train for them. This horse might be a real live Derby chance.
“We’re keen to run him at The Valley (Vase) and keen to back him up in the Derby.
“He’s the most beautiful colt and he handles the work. Today was a test to see if he needed the blinkers on and see if he hit the line to prove he’s a Derby horse, and that he did.
“It was a bit of a risky move for a horse who should be three from three but it all worked out well.
“He was always a bit green hence why he had the blinkers on for his final trial with James (Cummings) before we took over.”
Jockey Harry Coffey knows the colt well, having ridden him in each start.
“I didn’t want to ride him too tactical today,” said Coffey.
“I just wanted to ride him to relax and just show his powerful finish so we had a clear path where we wanted to be going.
“This race, traditionally, they’re going towards the Derby and he’s certainly proved that. Albeit he did travel in my hands a little bit strong. The tempo was pretty controlled.
“To Jordie Childs’ credit, he nearly outrode me. He snuck up on the inside and pushed me out but I just backed this horse’s talent in and pulled him to the outside and let him rip.
“He’s going the right way. He’s green and a bullish colt and he’s reeling off some big runs but I think he’ll be able to cop it because he takes everything in his stride. He’s a beautiful individual and he’s a pleasure to ride.”
Taking his overall record to three wins and a narrow third from four starts and $173,320 in earnings, the Godolphin bred and raced colt is the third winner, and first stakes winner from three to the races out of the unraced New Approach mare Alternatively.
From a family that extends back to Hong Kong Champion Stayer Vengeance Of Rain (HK) (Zabeel), a triple Group 1-winning Hong Kong Horse of the Year as well as his Group 1 Australian Oaks-winning full sister Dizelle (Zabeel), who is herself the dam of Group 1 VRC Oaks winner Pinot (Pierro), surely there are no stamina doubts if Options heads towards the Group 1 VRC Derby.
Options’ dam Alternatively was sold to John W Ramsey for just $7,500 at the 2023 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in foal to Victor Ludorum (GB), which now looks a smart buy.
The mare produced a colt by the multiple Group 1-winning son of Shamardal with the 2yo currently unnamed, before unfortunately missing to the same stallions the following year, and there is no Stud Book record of being covered last season.
Options became the fourth black type winner for the Group 1-winning blue blood Impending who has since moved from standing at Darley to join Neville Murdoch’s Larneuk Stud, where he is great value this season at a fee of $6,600 (inc. GST).
