Following their Melbourne Cup success with Half Yours a year ago, Tony and Calvin McEvoy are hoping for a similar rewarding outcome on Cup Day with their charge No Fuss in the Channel 9 Trophy over 1400 metres.

The six-year-old gelding, who was purchased by the stable in conjunction with OTI Racing after a third-place debut in New Zealand in March 2024, had compiled a sequence of four unblemished runs in Victoria before a tendon injury in April 2025 forced a significant break from the racetrack.

Tony McEvoy elaborated on the setback: “Sadly he bowed his tendon though it wasn’t a nasty one but we had to be careful. In the levels of a bowed tendon, it was very light but we treated it like it was serious and gave him the time. We’ve had a really good result in it and the horse is confident in his action.”

No Fuss has since participated in two trials within the last month, clinching victory in his latest trial at Flemington over 1000 metres.

“He has trialled up nicely and I am hoping that he’s a bit older now and hope he is still as sharp because he is a horse we’re really looking to get over further trips. We had to take small steps, platform training, and get him to a level and hold on that level before then going to the next level. We feel the team have done a great job with him.”

No Fuss, whose Racing and Sports ratings have steadily climbed, reached a career-high of 102 in his most recent Flemington win over 1800 metres, indicating the gelding’s potential for further success. In a race that appears open to multiple contenders, No Fuss will face Buccleuch, a competitor with a strong recent record of three wins from his last four starts.