Kerrin McEvoy is playing a waiting game ahead of Wednesday’s Mornington Cup, hoping up-and-coming stayer Award Season can sneak into the field.
McEvoy has committed to riding the Kris Lees-trained Award Season but the imported stayer is in danger of missing a start.
Newcastle-based Lees brought Award Season to Victoria a week ago to settle in at Mornington ahead of the $350,000 Cup (2400m), which carries a ballot exemption to this year’s Caulfield Cup for the winner.
Award Season is 19th in the order of entry for Wednesday with only 14 to run. Acceptances are taken on Monday.
McEvoy had the option to stick with Mornington Cup Prelude winner Durnford, trained by Pat Carey, but decided to maintain his association with Award Season having ridden him to win his past two starts in Sydney.
“I told Kris Lees I would be on their horse but it looks like he might struggle to get a run,” McEvoy said.
“Kris has also entered him for a 2000 metre race on the same day so he might end up in that or he will also be entered for a 2000 metre race at Flemington next Saturday.
“They might look to go there if he doesn’t get a run in the Mornington Cup.”
Award Season has been making a good impression in Sydney, coming off a confidence-boosting Muswellbrook win to post back-to-back city successes at Warwick Farm over 2400m and then Canterbury over 1900m.
“Both he and Durnford are similar types actually,” McEvoy said.
“They are improving through the ranks and are going to have to step up to another level (in the Mornington Cup).”
The Mornington Cup nominations include the Gai Waterhouse-trained duo Reuben Percival and Travolta, the Gerald Ryan-trained Ironstein and Group One winner Shadows In The Sun from the Anthony Cummings stable.
Along with the Mornington Cup, the rich race day also includes the $250,000 Inglis Premier (1200m) for two-year-olds and the Listed Hareeba Stakes.
