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Multiple Group 1 winner chasing more riches at The Valley

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Hey Doc (Duporth) will be out to add fifth Group 1 to his record when he tackles the William Reid Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday. 

The son of Duporth (Red Ransom) has shown an affinity for Moonee Valley, having landed the Bill Stutt Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) in 2016 before returning the following year to claim the Manikato Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), which he won for a second time in 2020. 

Hey Doc rounded out his preparation for the Group 1 with a gallop between races at The Valley on Saturday which pleased co-trainer, Calvin McEvoy. 

"That was as good as he works here on his own," McEvoy said. 

"The older he gets, the more casual he gets, but with the crowd, and being back here, that is the reason I wanted to gallop him then rather than on Monday morning, to get that atmosphere into him. 

"It was nice work, he's run nice time and Luke (Currie) said he just blew out on the line, which we thought he would." 

He was last seen beating only one runner home in the Kensington Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on February 27, but McEvoy said the race served its purpose. 

"If we had gone to trial instead, I think we'd still be behind," McEvoy said. 

"With that gallop, I can give him another piece of work on Tuesday or Wednesday morning, just a bit of maintenance work, and I think he'll arrive in really good order. 

"He loves The Valley under lights, as do I."