Almandin still has it

KERRIN McEvoy believes Almandin is still the horse to beat in the Melbourne Cup despite a last-start defeat in The Bart Cummings.

McEvoy piloted the Lloyd Williams import to victory in last year’s Cup, snatching victory over Heartbreak City in a head-bobbing finish.

But with Damien Oliver taking the ride this year on Almandin ($7 on UBET markets), McEvoy will partner Red Cardinal ($13).

As impressed as McEvoy was during trackwork with the Andreas Wohler raider, he retains healthy respect for Almandin.

“Obviously Almandin is the one, a great stayer with a dynamic turn of foot,” dual Cup winner McEvoy said.

“Still very wary of him, even off the back of his last run when he was fourth or fifth (in The Bart Cummings).”