The Wagga Gold Cup meeting will receive an extra touch of class when one of Australia’s best jockeys makes his first appearance on Friday.
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Kerrin McEvoy will ride at Murrumbidgee Turf Club for the first time after being booked to ride Kourkam in the $140,000 feature for uncle Tony McEvoy.
The pair combined to the win $170,000 Albury Gold Cup (2000m) last month and the Melbourne Cup winning jockey was more than happy to make the trip down.
With race wins across the world under his belt, McEvoy jumped at the chance to ride on Wagga’s biggest day.
“I’m really looking forward to being part of the carnival down there and coming down with a nice horse to ride in the cup,” McEvoy said.
“He’s coming off a good last start effort in the Albury Cup and looking forward to getting a few rides.
“You can see the big crowd and it looks like an enjoyable day and a wonderful track to ride so I can’t wait to get down there and try to win the cup with uncle’s horse.”
Tony McEvoy nominated three horses for the feature, but will only be represented by Kourkam after electing to keep Mouro and Evangelist for Hawkesbury’s stand-alone meeting on Saturday.
Becoming McEvoy’s first Wagga Gold Cup runner wasn’t always the plan for five-year-old, but after a hiccup the Hawkesbury trainer set his sights on more Riverina riches.
“I had him set for the JRA Cup and he bruised his heel and I wasn’t that happy with it and decided not to run him there but he’s bounced through that really well,” McEvoy said.
“He swum for two days and was straight back into his work and has been perfect ever since.”
Kourkam was handed 57 kilograms by the handicappers, but will rise by 1.5kgs if, as expected, Chris Waller doesn’t accept with I’m Imposing and Index Linked.
Despite only carrying 54 kilograms to win at Albury, McEvoy thought he was fairly weighted and is hoping draw inside the first six when the barrier draw is completed on Tuesday.
McEvoy is bringing one more horse for the meeting, with Reaper nominated for the $40,000 MTC Guineas.
Kerrin is also booked for the ride and said after winning at Hawkesbury with the son of Duporth last start he will enjoy the wide spaces at the MTC.
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