McEvoy looks to ice the cake aboard Redzel
REDZEL, the dual Everest champion, can provide superstar jockey Kerrin McEvoy with another Melbourne major in the Group 1 $1 million VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
McEvoy, who won his third Melbourne Cup on Godolphin stayer Cross Counter, is reunited with Sydney’s super sprinter in an attempt to repeat their Everest-VRC Sprint double from 12 months ago.
A final field of 14 was declared for the feature sprint with Redzel early co-favourite at $5 with Pierata.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Redzel hasn’t raced since winning his second Everest from Trapeze Artist and Osborne Bulls a month ago which lifted the sprinter’s career earnings to an incredible $15.3 million, second only to the great Winx on $22.3 million.
McEvoy did return to ride Redzel in a barrier trial at Rosehill on October 30 when the gelding cruised home a comfortable winner in slick time.
“Redzel felt great in the trial, he certainly hasn’t gone backwards since The Everest,’’ McEvoy said. “He’s in the zone at the moment and he does enjoy racing down the Flemington straight.’’
McEvoy will link with the Godolphin stable again when he rides the James Cummingstrained It’s Somewhat in the Group 1 $2 million Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.
The champion jockey, who was still on cloud nine yesterday after his Cup win, goes back to work today where his mounts include Scamper in the Group 1 $1 million Victoria Oaks (2500m).
McEvoy had a series of media commitments and interviews that kept him busy yesterday but he still had time to reflect on his Cross Counter’s historic Cup victory, the first for owner Sheik Mohammed and Godolphin stables.
“It was a remarkable achievement by Cross Counter because he was having only his eighth start,’’ McEvoy said.
HE’S IN THE ZONE AT THE MOMENT AND HE DOES ENJOY RACING DOWN THE FLEMINGTON STRAIGHT. KERRIN MCEVOY ON REDZEL