Silvera out to press Derby claims in Vase

A lightly raced colt who is a close relation to former star Shoot Out will put his Victoria Derby credentials to the test in the Group Two Vase at Moonee Valley.

The Tony McEvoy-trained Silvera races in the colours of his part-owners Graham and Linda Huddy who bred the colt and raced the multiple Group One winner Shoot Out whose major wins included the 2010 Australian Derby.

Like Shoot Out, Silvera is by High Chaparral and his dam Silver Tiara is a half-sister to Shoot Out.

Silvera won a Mildura maiden on debut in August and added the Morphettville Guineas at his second start.

McEvoy had the colt in the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 2 but scrapped those plans when he drew wide, instead running him in the Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) in Adelaide six days later in which he ran second.

“I’ve always wanted to get him to the Derby,” McEvoy said.

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“I’m not sure The Vase was always on the radar, but we’re there.

“Had he run in the UCI Stakes I might have gone a different path and gone to the Caulfield Classic. But here we are and he’ll love the 2040 metres. He’s a big striding horse so it will be interesting to see how he handles Moonee Valley.”

Silvera is at $11 and McEvoy says he’s looking forward to learning more about the colt in the traditional Victoria Derby lead-up with a view to the Flemington classic a week later.

“It’s a step up for him because there are two Group One winners in the race. It’s a challenge but it’s a challenge I’ve very much got him ready for,” the trainer said.

McEvoy took Silvera to Moonee Valley on Tuesday for a gallop where he was ridden by the trainer’s nephew Kerrin McEvoy who has the ride on Saturday.

Group One winners Prized Icon and Sacred Elixir are at $4.60 and $5 respectively for Saturday’s race while they are also high up in Victoria Derby betting at $8.

Two fillies, Whispering Brook and Harlow Gold, are at single figures in the Vase and will be trying to emulate Jameka who claimed the race last year on her way to winning the VRC Oaks.