Kerrin McEvoy will team up with a horse trained by his uncle in the Victoria Derby as the star jockey bids to win the Classic for the first time.
McEvoy has finished second in the Derby at Flemington four times, most recently on Complacent in 2013, and rides Silvera on Saturday.
Trainer Tony McEvoy is happy to have his in-form nephew aboard.
“It’s great to see Kerrin going so well. We’re very proud of him and I’m very lucky to have him on a couple of my horses this week,” McEvoy said.
Kerrin McEvoy, winner of 56 Group One races including the 2000 Melbourne Cup on Brew, also said it was great to be teaming up with his uncle.
“He’s taught me a lot over the years from when I was a young kid when he was working at Lindsay Park in Angaston,” McEvoy said.
“I used to go over every school holidays and work with Tony when he was working for Colin Hayes, and Peter Hayes and David Hayes.
“So it’s great to be teaming up with him in the big race of the day, the Derby on Saturday.”
Kerrin McEvoy rode Silvera in last Saturday’s Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) in which he finished seventh.
The Vase was won Sacred Elixir who is $2.80 favourite for the Derby while Silvera is at $41.
The McEvoys are convinced Silvera is better than what he showed at Moonee Valley but believe whatever he does on Saturday he will be better in the autumn.
“He’s a good horse. I’ve got a lot of time for him. But it’s his first racing preparation and at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day the occasion got to him a little bit,” Tony McEvoy said.
“He acted up a little bit before and acted up in the barrier. He pulled a bit for Kerrin. He came into the race up the side nicely and then he wobbled a bit around the bends.”
The trainer believes Flemington suits better and noted he beat The Vase runner-up Morvado in Adelaide the start before.
“So I think his form is OK. I’m just hoping the occasion is not going to be too big for him tomorrow,” he said.
“I’m excited to have him there and he’s not the worst horse in the race.”
