Fresh off a five-timer at Rosehill, jockey Kerrin McEvoy will look to continue the run with a Group 1 double at Eagle Farm.
McEvoy rides Godolphin’s boom three-year-old Aft Cabin in the $3m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and Chris Waller’s unbeaten two-year-old Congregation in the $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m).
Aft Cabin, trained by James Cummings, is at $11 in latest Stradbroke betting behind $3 favourite Think About It but McEvoy believes he can win a third Stradbroke after partnering the Godolphin colt for the first time in a Randwick barrier trial win last Friday.
“It was nice to have a ride on Aft Cabin at the trials and I think he is in very good order,’’ McEvoy said.
“The trial was only moderately run but Aft Cabin dashed home in the straight and felt good in his action.
“I feel he can go to the Stradbroke and be a good chance with 53kg. He was only beaten one-and-a-half lengths behind Giga Kick last start and that is the best form in the land.’’
Kerrin McEvoy will partner with Aft Cabin in the Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Jeremy Ng–Getty Images
Congregation, one of five winners for McEvoy at the Rosehill meeting, is likely to back up in the J.J Atkins where has firmed to the second line of betting at $8 behind co-favourites Make A Call and Tannhauser at $6.
McEvoy said Congregation “floated a bit” when he raced to the front half-way down the straight but found again when stablemate Tutta La Vita made her challenge.
“Congregation rallied and picked up noticeably the last 50m when he spotted her,’’ McEvoy said. “He’s a promising colt and I wouldn’t think 1600m will be a problem for him.’’
McEvoy was in sensational form at the Rosehill meeting winning the Winter Cup on Al Aabir and also scoring on Grebeni, Robusto and Winning Verse.
Some of McEvoy’s rides were tactically brilliant as the jockey adapted to race circumstance and took the initiative, particularly on Al Aabir when he went around the field three-and-four wide from the 800m due to the slow early race tempo.
“We are in a live action sport and it is all about trying to catch your opposition off guard,’’ McEvoy said.
“Those spur of the moment decisions can make or break your chances. The great Jimmy Cassidy was fantastic at pulling off those manoeuvres.
“With racing these days, everyone has speed maps and everyone knows where everyone else is going to be so sometimes it is ok to fly by the seat of your pants and change things up a bit.’’
McEvoy’s other big race rides at Eagle Farm include True Marvel in the Group 2 $400,000 Brisbane Cup (3200m) and More Prophets in the Group 2 $300,000 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m).
YOU CAN BET ON IT
Promising stayer Al Aabir was backed from $3.10 into $2.70 with TAB taking over 50 per cent of outlays on the favourite.
Punters collected when Al Aabir won the Winter Cup and landed some big bets included $10,000 at $2.80, $9,700 at $2.80, $4,000 at $2.80 and $3,000 at $2.80.
Despite drifting from $6 to $6.50 there was still good money for Robusto, eventual winner of the Schweppes Handicap. Some of the bigger bets on Robusto included $2,500 at $6.50 and multiple $1,000 bets at $6.50 and $7.
FIVE TO FOLLOW
Congregation and Tutta La Vita (race 1) went stride-for-stride to the finish with the former prevailing by the narrowest margin. Congregation is unbeaten in two starts and is likely to back up in the Group 1 J.J Atkins. Tutta La Vita has been an unlucky second placegetter in both her runs but also has loads of ability.
Proverbial (race 2) went into the Highway first-up without a barrier trial but unleased a brilliant finishing sprint to score impressively. This was a very good training effort by Lou Mary and he is aiming his mare at the Ramornie Handicap and long-term, The Kosciuszko.
Gracilistyla (race 4) ran out of a room in the last 100m and should have finished closer than fourth, beaten less than a length behind Resonator. It was a terrific first-up effort and indicated the grey is in for a good winter campaign.
Al Aabir (race 6) was in an awkward position back in the field in a slowly-run race leaving jockey Kerrin McEvoy with no option but to make an early move three-and-four wide. Al Aabir, making his debut at stakes level, sustained a strong gallop and ran some impressive closing sectionals to win the Winter Cup. Progressive stayer with potential.
Fuller (race 9) didn’t quite have the acceleration to take the gap between runners in the straight before finishing a close third in the race won by Robusto. Fuller, who races in the Nature Strip colours, has had three runs back from a spell now, found the 1500m a touch short and is ready to win when he gets out in distance. Meanwhile, champion Nature Strip returns to training on Monday.
TURF TALK
“I can’t remember when I last rode five winners but it was a lovely day and you have to enjoy these moments,’’ said jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
“Kerrin is a lovely guy to work with, so professional. He’s the same person every day, good days and bad days. He will always come back and give you the right information, he’s a real gentleman,’’ said trainer Chris Waller.
“We will have a think about it (Brisbane Cup next Saturday) with Al Aabir. He is a pretty progressive horse and obviously a strong, tough stayer,’’ Waller again.
“I’m happy with just the two in work these days. Training is a hobby for me as I have a full-time job as a courier,’’ said trainer Scott Aspery.
“The plan is to run this colt in the J.J Atkins if he pulls up well. He is similar to The Autumn Sun in that they are the type of horse that don’t win by far but they find a way to win,’’ Waller said of Congregation.
CRUNCH TIME
Proverbial (race 2) is a mare renowned for her powerful finish and she sprinted her final 400m in 22.40s to win the Highway.
Grebeni (race 5) again demonstrated a superior turn of foot to seize control of the race from the turn, breaking 23s for his final 400m.
Al Aabir (race 6) sprinted his final 800m 44.95s – an outstanding, sustained burst of speed at the end of a 2400m staying contest.
Contemporary (race 7) settles back in his races which is proving costly for the Godolphin galloper but he’s always finishing fast. He was at it again at Rosehill, coming from last with a 33.05s closing 600m sectional to just miss.
Maurice’s Medad (race 9) was doing his best work on the line when he closed out his final 200m sectional in 10.91s – the best of the meeting – to finish just behind the placegetters.
STEWARDS SAY
Tutta La Vita (race 1) blundered on jumping then was held up for clear running from the 400m until approaching the 200m where it was directed to the inside of the heels of Stand Aside.
Victory Lane (race 3) experienced some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight, was again held up over the concluding stages and was not able to be ridden out to the end of the race.
Sweet Mercy (race 3) raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.
Gracilistyla (race 4) had to be steadied and was not able to be ridden out to the finish of the race after being disappointed for a run between the winner, Resonator, and runner-up Semana. Stewards elected not to lodge a protest on behalf of the connections of Gracilistyla as they could not be comfortably satisfied that the gelding would have finished in advance of Resonator had the interference not occurred.
Cloudland (race 4) bled from both nostrils and automatically incurred a three-month ban from racing.
Celestial Spirit (race 5) settled outside the leader, Okataina, but apprentice Amy McLucas told stewards near the 600m the filly made an audible respiratory sound and soon after dropped the bit and did not respond to her riding. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be slow to recover.
I’ve Bean Tryin’ (race 9) was three-wide facing the breeze throughout and still ran a very competitive race to be beaten less than a length into fourth placing behind Robusto.
RANDWICK SNAPSHOT WITH RON DUFFICY
RUN OF THE DAY
I thought Al Aabir was a one-paced plugger when he arrived in Sydney from Queensland but he showed an amazing turn of late speed sizzling home to victory in the Winter Cup.
FORGET THEY RAN
They say barrier one is the best draw in racing. Try telling that to the punters that backed Tutta La Vita and Acappella Sun in the first two races – they both should have won.
THE BLACKBOOK
Chris Waller produced two lovely Spring prospects in the two-year-old race in Congregation and Tutta La Vita. I wouldn’t think we would see too much more from them at this time of year as they both have bigger fish to fry a good few months from now.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Kerrin McEvoy showed them a clean pair of heels riding five winners on the first Saturday of Winter. McEvoy had been a little quiet by his high standards of late but that’s a marvellous achievement from a world class rider.
NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD
#What’s on in NSW racing this week:
Monday: Bathurst, Goulburn
Tuesday: Armidale, Taree
Wednesday: Canterbury Park
Thursday: Gosford, Corowa
Friday: Dubbo, Tamworth
Saturday: Royal Randwick, Newcastle
Sunday: Hawkesbury, Sapphire Coast