Veteran horseman Peter Jolly will try and become the third generation of the family to secure Melbourne Spring Carnival success in 2020 when Morvada returns to Flemington on Saturday.
Son David claimed two Group 1 features with Behemoth early in the spring while his other son Richard, who trains in partnership with his granddaughter Chantelle, have enjoyed two Flemington victories during Melbourne Cup week with Kemalpasa and Alleboom.
“It’s all up to me now, the pressure is on,’’ Jolly said.
Morvada is no stranger to Melbourne success winning the Listed Barton Stakes at Caulfield in January, while his form heading back over the border is very good.
He was runner-up behind Sky Punch in the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes in Adelaide beating home Dalasan. He then went to Flemington and was placed in the Listed Tontonan Stakes behind Travimyfriend before leading up and only being reeled in late when fourth behind Wild Planet in the Moonga Stakes at Group 3 level last time out.
“He’s going back over in really good order, he’s probably the best I’ve had him for a long time,’’ Jolly said.
“It will all be about just how much pressure he cops, normally someone wants to take you on and then finishes out the back but the one thing I know is, he’s tough,’’ he said.
And Morvada is familiar to Flemington having raced there four times and been placed on three occasions, his only failure coming back in his three-year-old season when down the track in the 2016 Victoria Derby.
He’s joined in the $200,000 Group 3 Chatham Stakes by fellow South Australian Bold Star who jumps out to 1400m with Jamie Kah booked to ride.
Kah will also be hoping her successful spring can rub off on Dalasan in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes after he finished 11th beaten five lengths behind Verry Elleegant in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup.
Tony and Calvin McEvoy chase a second successive Group 1 win with Hey Doc in the $1.5m Darley Sprint Classic (1200m).
They’ll also saddle up exciting prospect Deep Speed early in the day. The horse was impressive in Adelaide before taking that form and winning at Moonee Valley last Friday night and looks nicely suited from barrier three.
They also have Winning Partner chasing his third straight win at a mile after winning the Balaklava and Murray Bridge Cups at his past two.
The 1600m Nova Trophy is loaded with SA talent including Michael Hickmott’s pair of Aqueduct and Peleton, while Bordertown trainer Jeff Searle has smart filly Wings Of Pastrami returning to Flemington where she was successful early in her career.
PHOTO: Ian Currie