Classy 3-year-old colt Veight (Grunt {NZ}) defeated a gun field to claim his maiden and much-deserved Group 1 success in Saturday’s George Ryder S. at Rosehill.
Trained by the Ballarat-based father and son duo, Tony and Calvin McEvoy, and ridden by Damian Lane, the son of Grunt (NZ) lapped up the 1500-metre feature and held off the last-start Group 1 winner Lady Laguna (Overshare), while another star 3-year-old in Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) flew into third.
Last year’s The Everest winner Think About It (So You Think {NZ}) was slightly underwhelming, finishing out of the placings for the first time in his career.
Speaking to 7HorseRacing, co-trainer Tony McEvoy said, “It was so deserved. I’m so proud of Veight and my entire team.
“I’m thrilled for Wayne Mitchell, who has been my biggest supporter and owns most of this horse (Veight). It’s just fabulous.”
Veight has been a standout performer and is the first Group 1 winner for Yulong’s Grunt. He is also the first 3-year-old to secure success in the George Ryder since Pierro saluted in 2013.
The son of Grunt is the fourth foal from the Group 3 winner Neena Rock, a daughter of Fastnet Rock. Veight brings his record five victories from 10 starts.
Alongside his G1 George Ryder success, Veight has wins in the G2 Sires’ Produce, the G2 Australia S. and the G3 HDF McNeil S. and has placed in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and the G1 Australian Guineas.
Veight was a $100,000 pinhook by Sledmere Stud and Cangon from the Yulong draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. Sledmere Stud reoffered Veight at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) paid $220,000.
This article was written by Keely Mckitterick for TTR AusNZ.
