McEvoy eyes elusive win

Kerrin McEvoy has ridden the winners of 63 Group One races but the Victoria Derby is one that has eluded him.

The star jockey gets his latest chance to add the A$1.5 million Classic at Flemington to his haul of feature race victories when he rides Eshtiraak today.

McEvoy rates Eshtiraak a good chance in the 2500m staying test for three-year- olds after his last-start fifth in one of the traditional lead-ups, the Caulfield Classic (2000m).

“It’s been one of my bogey races,” McEvoy said.

“I’ve had four close seconds and I’ll be out there trying to get that one win that’s eluded me until now.

“I’m happy with Eshtiraak and I’m looking forward to the race.”

McEvoy’s most recent runner-up finish was on Complacent in 2013 while his two rides in the race since have finished unplaced, including 2014 favourite Hampton Court.

A four-time winner during his juvenile season, Eshtiraak is yet to win in five starts this spring and is at $19 for the Derby.

“He ran a good race at Caulfield last start,” McEvoy said.

“He went back and settled last on a day when it was hard to make up ground and he finished right alongside Main Stage (third). Obviously Main Stage is one of the favourites.

“My horse has come out of the race well and we’ve drawn a nice alley in barrier five.”

A dual Melbourne Cup winning jockey including last year with Almandin, McEvoy has rides in all four Group One races today. His others are Egg Tart in the Kennedy Mile, Foxplay in the Myer Classic and Formality in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Meanwhile, Craig Williams will get the chance to chase an elusive Melbourne Cup on Wall Of Fire after the stayer moved up the ballot order with Bendigo Cup winner Qewy’s defection from the race.

Two horses already in the Melbourne Cup field — the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Jon Snow and Harlem — have not passed veterinary inspections and will be reexamined today.