Big Memory caps big day for McEvoy stable

A memorable day at the track has got even better for trainer Tony McEvoy, with Big Memory scoring an overdue win in the Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington.

McEvoy’s delight was clear to see in the mounting yard after seven-year-old gelding Big Memory fought back in the final 50m to win for the first time since the 2014 spring carnival.

And it came only 40 minutes after McEvoy celebrated a Group One win with three-year-old Hey Doc in Saturday’s Australian Guineas, who like Big Memory was ridden by Luke Currie.

In between those two Flemington wins, the stable also had a Listed winner in Adelaide with two-year-old Time Awaits.

“Today is a great day for us,” McEvoy said.

“It’s really brilliant.”

Big Memory notched his fifth career win but first since the 2014 Group Two Herbert Power Stakes.

In 21 starts since, the gelding had 10 placings, including seven seconds with a number of those in close finishes.

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After sitting just off leader Northwest Passage in Saturday’s 2600m race, Big Memory ($4.60) took over at the top of the straight when Northwest Passage started to weaken but then Cadillac Mountain emerged to issue a strong challenge.

Big Memory appeared to be headed inside the 100m by Cadillac Mountain but rallied to win by a half-head, with three quarters of a length to Settler’s Stone third.

“I’m just so happy for the horse,” McEvoy said.

“He’s such a good horse. He’s very sound, he’s very honest.

“He’s run 12 seconds (during his career) and been beaten by narrow margins.

“It’s been so frustrating and I’ve been feeling sorry for the horse, to be honest. He really dug in today.

“It looked like he was going to run another second and he decided to dig in a little deeper for us.”

Big Memory will now head to the Mornington Cup, a race he has finished second in the past two years.