Like many Australian trainers Tony McEvoy is sourcing stayers from Europe.

Unlike many Australians, he is not buying at the high end of the market, preferring to acquire them privately and the rewards are starting to eventuate with Canterbury winner Big Memory an example.

The former French horse claimed his first win for McEvoy when he took out Saturday's 1900m race by a decisive 1-1/4 lengths from Dolphi's Boy.

"He was a colt for his first preparation for me but he has been gelded now and is much more focused," McEvoy said.

"He ran well at Ballarat behind a horse that has Group form and the tempo didn't suit when he ran at Adelaide.

"It all went well today aided by a great ride from Christian Reith."

McEvoy has 11 former French-trained horses in his dual state operation and travels horses from his South Australian base to Victoria and on to his Hawkesbury stable.

Big Memory started the $3.60 favourite based on his previous two starts when he followed a half neck second to First Bloom at Ballarat with a second to Stradale at Morphettville.

"I think he will be even better over a mile and a half (2400m) and there are plenty of those types of races for him," McEvoy said.

"He is still learning but there will be a nice race in him."