Half Yours has stamped his ticket to the Caulfield Cup with an emphatic performance in Saturday’s Group 3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield.

Ridden by Jamie Melham, the $2.60 favourite powered clear for a 3-½ length success, defeating Berkshire Breeze ($12) and outsider Grand Pierro ($71). The win secured the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained galloper a golden ticket into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18.

Half Yours had initially been aimed at the Group 1 The Metropolitan at Randwick, but with his place in doubt as an emergency, connections pivoted to Melbourne.

“That was the big question through the week,” Calvin McEvoy said. “We always had him in Sydney, planned to run him in Kingston Town, but at the last minute we accepted here. We knew that if he came down and won, he’d stay. Now he’s in the Caulfield Cup, he’s proven on a good track, so we’re all systems go.”

Bred by Janice and the late Col McKenna, Half Yours was purchased online through Inglis Digital after being spotted by racing manager Rayan Moore. “We really wanted to get him,” McEvoy said. “We didn’t think we’d have to spend what we did, but thank God we did. He’s been a pleasure to train and he’s still got more to come.”

After wintering in Queensland and capturing the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m), Half Yours now looms as a serious spring contender. “He’s fit and ready,” McEvoy added. “Another run won’t hurt him, but he could easily go straight to the mile-and-a-half. It’s an exciting time for everyone involved.”