Kerrin McEvoy claims a third Melbourne Cup aboard Cross Counter for Godolphin
IN his own words he was “lucky” but Kerrin McEvoy strengthened his claim as South Australia’s greatest ever jockey winning a third Melbourne Cup aboard Cross Counter at Flemington on Tuesday.
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IN his own words, he was “lucky” but Kerrin McEvoy has strengthened his claim as South Australia’s greatest-ever jockey after winning a third Melbourne Cup on Cross Counter at Flemington on Tuesday.
Twenty years after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Godolphin first tried to win the race that stops the nation, a perfect ride from the boy from Streaky Bay finally gave the blue army the Melbourne Cup.
“What a thrill,’’ McEvoy said.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling to win this for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and repay the faith that he showed in me,’’ he said.
McEvoy said having wife Cathy and two of his biggest supporters — mum Tracy and dad Phil, whom he followed into a career in the saddle — all the way from Streaky Bay trackside at Flemington added to the magical moment.
“Dad’s been here for all three (Cup wins) and mum’s been here for a couple,’’ McEvoy said.
Mr McEvoy said Kerrin’s commitment to his craft was one of the reasons he has enjoyed sustained success at the highest level.
“It was magic to see Kerrin win another Cup, and it’s great (for him) to win it with Godolphin,’’ he said.
“They’ve been very loyal to Kerrin, and Kerrin has been very loyal to them and they’ve got back (together) and won the Melbourne Cup,’’ he said.
Mr McEvoy said despite some anxious moments early in the race — when Kerrin had to avoid interference as The Cliffsofmoher broke down, and then finding himself second last — he always felt his son was riding the right horse.
“He nearly got into some trouble past the post the first time, but what a great ride. I know he didn’t plan to be as far back as what he was but turning for home when he was following the favourite, I knew Kerrin’s horse hadn’t done any work. When I saw the gap open, we were having a frothy and I said to the boys ‘this horse has done nothing, he’s going to beat them’.
“Kerrin is very conscious of what he does, he put an amazing amount of work into maintaining himself at the top, like any great sportsman does.
“And that puts him in the position that’s he’s getting opportunities like this to ride such quality horses.
“To be back winning with Godolphin is amazing, he was with them for 12 years before leaving on great terms, and now to win a Melbourne Cup for Charlie Appleby, who is a great trainer and is also a great bloke, is something else.
“(The celebration) is probably going to be a bit strong tonight, but we’ll sort it out.’’
Eighteen years since his first Cup win aboard Brew in 2000, McEvoy and his family — Cathy and sons Charlie, 9, Jake, 8, Rhys, 5 and daughter Eva, 2 — will be house hunting in the coming weeks after some pre-race promises.
“I did promise (the kids) a swimming pool,’’ Kerrin said.
“Cathy and myself have been looking around for a new house and I said yesterday if I won I’d buy Cathy a new house, so look out,’’ he said.
Cathy said being trackside at Flemington to witness her husband win a historic third Cup was an amazing feeling after missing his 2016 Cup win on Almandin when she was heavily pregnant with Eva.
“I said to Kerrin last night, because I missed out when he won on Almandin, please win tomorrow — I can’t believe it,’’ she said.
“We’ll definitely be on the lookout (for a new house) now,’’ she said.
The win extended an amazing 12 and half months for McEvoy who has now won Australia’s richest race, the $13 million Everest in Sydney, twice and added a third Cup to a stunning resume that places him among the best riders Australia has produced.
McEvoy joins Damien Oliver and Glen Boss as three-time Melbourne Cup winners, while only Bobby Lewis and Harry White have ridden more Cups winners with four.
McEvoy said he could feel the race unfolding perfectly as he turned into the long Flemington straight.
“I was on the back of Yucatan. He seemed to be empty, Yucatan. At the 400 (metre mark) I said that I had to go my own way, and I was full of running. At the furlong, I thought ‘mate, is this happening again?’.”