Queensland Well Worth The Veight

Gelded G1 winner begins Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign in Doomben 10,000

- BRISBANE

BRISBANE - Tony McEvoy admits the decision to geld Group 1 winner Veight was a tough one, but hopes it will be vindicated ahead of a trio of Queensland feature races during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

The 2024 George Ryder Stakes (1,500m) winner is set to resume in the A$1.5 million (S$1.15 million) Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1,200m) on May 17, and McEvoy, who trains in partnership with his son Calvin, says the Grunt four-year-old seems more relaxed as a gelding.

"It wasn't an ideal decision to have to make, but we thought it was in the best interest of the horse," said McEvoy from Brisbane. "He seems very good, and he's acting right, which is great."

A three-run Spring campaign struggled to get off the ground for Veight - pronounced as "vee-eight", named after the V8 engine - who finished 19th of 20 in the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1,500m) before a spell, with McEvoy admitting nothing went to plan.

"It was a combination of things, really. He was obviously getting a little bit fussy in his thinking, and he drew some bad barriers," said the multiple Group 1 winning trainer.

"There were a few different factors, but we thought he'd be a better racehorse as a gelding."