Fresh from his G1 win aboard Hungry Heart in the Vinery Stud Stakes, Kerrin McEvoy is turning his attention to The Championships.
Having tested New Zealander Aegon in a recent barrier trial, jockey Kerrin McEvoy is buoyant about his Doncaster Mile prospects, particularly given the forecast for rain.
While Hugh Bowman has ridden the three-year-old in his two Sydney starts, he cannot make his 52.5kg Doncaster weight, paving the way for the lightweight McEvoy to clinch the G1 mount.
McEvoy partnered Aegon to a barrier trial win on the Warwick Farm Polytrack on Friday and is warming to his chances of adding to the good Doncaster record of three-year-olds.
“I would have preferred it to be on the grass but he had a nice hit-out and showed he’s freshened up well,” McEvoy said of the trial.
“He is attractively weighted and he obviously doesn’t mind a bit of juice in the ground, so if we do get a drop of rain for Doncaster day it should suit him.”
Aegon was undefeated in four New Zealand starts and continued that record when trouncing his Hobartville Stakes rivals at his Australian debut.
Striking a firm track for the first time in the Randwick Guineas, he failed to show his customary turn of foot and finished sixth, prompting trainers Murray Baker And Andrew Forsman to keep him fresh for his Doncaster bid.
McEvoy will also team up with a New Zealand-trained horse in the Australian Derby (2400m) when he links with Rocket Spade.
The Fastnet Rock colt won the Kiwi’s version of the classic last month and showed his versatility to score over a mile at his last start before heading across the Tasman.
“I’m not sure what type of class it was but he was pretty impressive winning over a mile and they were using that race as a trial or stepping stone into the Derby here,” McEvoy said.
McEvoy will combine with Team Hawkes in the remaining Group One races at Randwick, picking up the mounts on Hilal in the Sires’ Produce Stakes and Masked Crusader in the T J Smith Stakes.
