Racing: McEvoy has high hopes

A couple of horses who are sweating on scratchings could hold the key to the Mornington Cup (2400m) in Victoria tomorrow.

The French import Award Season and the locally trained Angola are emergency acceptors for the A$350,000 race, but both possess strong winning prospects.

For jockey Kerrin McEvoy the elevation of Award Season into the field would be a just reward for his loyalty to the horse's trainer, Kris Less.

McEvoy has ridden the well-fancied local Durnford at its past two starts, winning on him at Caulfield last Saturday week.

But McEvoy had previously committed himself to Award Season and stayed with that horse despite the doubt about him making the field.

"I've ridden Award Season in Sydney at his last two and he's been very impressive," he said.

Trainer Pat Carey offered McEvoy the ride on Durnford after he guided the horse to its first city win.

In that race he narrowly beat the nominal Mornington Cup favourite Tuscan Fire, who is 2.5kg better off at the weights tomorrow.

Angola, also trained by Carey, is the third emergency and comes into the race with strong claims after his good second at Rosehill last start.

Before that he'd shown good staying promise, winning a Ballarat maiden by 6 lengths.

Carey said a question mark existed over Angola at 2400m, but he was prepared to overlook it.

- AAP