Tony McEvoy isn’t too old to be learning and George Ryder Stakes winner Veight has provided him with a few lessons int he past couple of years.
The five-year-old, who is two runs into a comeback from a broken neck, will line-up in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on a day McEvoy still believes he would have won his first Group 1.
“It’s funny we talk about Veight because he is the reason Tough Romance is in the Blue Diamond,” McEvoy said. “I’m delighted to see him get run because I think they are very similar horses.
“We have similar ambitions with Tough Romance.”
Thrid emergency Tough Romance gained a run after Blue Diamond favourite Big Sky was scratched because of a knee complaint.
Veight and Tough Romance opened their careers with a win in effectively the same race at Pakenham. Veight beat Apulia in 2023, while three years on Tough Romance got the job there against four rivals.
“I thought Veight was a Sires horse and didn’t run him in the Blue Diamond and he would have won it,” McEvoy said. “I wasn’t going to make that mistake again.
“This fellow is very similar and it’s good he will get his chance in the Blue Diamond. he will be better ridden from behind on Saturday.”
Tough Romance is a $51 outsider in the restructured market, which has Guest House as the $4.40 favourite in front of unbeaten Magic Millions winner Unit Five ($5.50) and colts and gelding Prelude winner Closer To Free at $7.
Meanwhile, Veight continues to get stronger and will be third-up from break in the Futurity. He was Australia Stakes runner-up resuming before running third in the Heffernan Stakes behind Tom Kitten.
“He didn’t have a broken neck, although it sounds good, he had a little fracture in the T-something, but is still amazing he is back,” McEvoy said.
“I haven’t had a horse comeback from something like that. He has been good in both runs and was always going to get better.
“I don’t know if he will never get back to that top Group 1 form but he is very courageous and always gives his all.”
