Standing at the extraordinary height of 17.2 hands, Eskervinth is a beast.

“I was ecstatic,” Ballard said when she first saw the six-year-old.

“It’s what you dream of, to get a lovely big horse.”

Tipping the scales at 540 kilograms, Eskervinth has a similar racing weight to all-conquering mare Black Caviar, who was renowned for her strength and burly appearance.

Eskervinth is taller and leaner, but has his fair share of talent.

“It takes him a while to get his legs out from under himself sometimes,” Ballard said.

But despite his towering figure, Eskervinth didn’t have an associated air of confidence or attitude.

“He’s a lovely, kind horse but he’s a bit of a worrier,” she said.

There isn’t a bigger horse in the North West and Eskervinth will turn heads when he enters the mounting yard at tomorrow’s Cloncurry’s meeting.

Eskervinth will be one of two main hopes for the leading Mount Isa trainer in the Class 6 Plate (1200m) at Cloncurry for the Derby Day meeting.

“He’s been a good horse for us this year,” Ballard said of Eskervinth.

The son of Jet Spur has won three races in the North West, and been a model of consistency with five placings from his 10 starts in the North West. 

But he will have to turn the tables on talented stablemate Brunner tomorrow.

“There’s not much between them,” Ballard conceded.

Eskervinth will  have to stick his big head out in front at the winning post to atone for two recent runner-up performances at Cloncurry.

Brunner has won four races in the North West, including a two-length last-start victory over Eskervinth at Cloncurry on October 11.

But the well-bred son of Shamardal, originally bought as a yearling for $200,000 and raced in Sydney, hasn’t lived up to expectations as a Cups prospect since coming to the Outback and will be contained to shorter sprint trips.