Kerrin McEvoy suggests Royal Empire is equal of past Godolphin stayers

KERRIN McEvoy rates Royal Empire the equal of Crime Scene and Beekeeper, Godolphin stayers who fell just short of Melbourne Cup glory.

Kerrin McEvoy says Royal Empire has the credentials to match the feats of Beekeeper and Crime Scene. Picture: Getty Images

KERRIN McEvoy rates Royal Empire the equal of Crime Scene and Beekeeper, high-class Godolphin stayers who fell agonisingly short of Emirates Melbourne Cup glory.

McEvoy, who tasted Cup victory on Brew in 2000, said Royal Empire had the credentials to match the feats of Beekeeper and Crime Scene.

Crime Scene finished second to Shocking in 2009, while Beekeeper was third to Media Puzzle in 2002.

"I sat on Beekeeper and Crime Scene for Godolphin, I'd say (Royal Empire is) equal if not better than them," McEvoy said.

"It is hard to line up years gone by but he is a nice progressive horse and his form suggests that as well."

Watched by trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, Royal Empire had his last serious piece of work on yielding ground at Werribee.

"He was nice and relaxed this morning, he felt in good order, he did some work over seven furlongs (1400m), just quickened up and then came home best his last two (400m)," McEvoy said.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy and Royal Empire trainer Saeed bin Suroor talk during trackwork. Picture: Getty Images

"The ground was a little softer than what he enjoyed, it was a little shifty in spots but he is very clean winded, he is fit, I was happy with his work this morning, go there with nice confidence on Tuesday."

Royal Empire was the last of the foreign raiders to arrive in Melbourne and has had only 15 starts.

McEvoy is unconcerned about the five-year-old's relative lack of experience.

"Obviously he hasn't won a Group 1 this horse but he has been running in nice lead up races in the UK, there have been excuses for his last couple," McEvoy said.

"His last run at Ascot was on worse ground than what he enjoys, he won three starts ago, he has won twice at Newbury this time in and when he won the Freer Stakes it was done in nice style.

"He has a nice profile and a good weight, it is an open race, it is a hard race to win.

"He is only lightly raced, only out of the placings twice, it is a nice genuine record, first try at this distance but usually 2000m or 2400m form from the UK stacks up well here, a flat track over two miles, we need a lot of things to go right but I'm happy to be on him."

Racing Victoria stewards yesterday launched a veterinary and security sweep of the remaining 35 Emirates Melbourne Cup contenders ahead of Tuesday's big race.

RVL vets and integrity services personnel have been deployed to a string of stable inspections to ensure everything is in order ahead of the Cup.

Royal Empire gets scrubbed with soap at Werribee. Picture: Getty Images

Chief steward Terry Bailey said staff would examine treatment books for all Cup aspirants as well as subjecting all runners to veterinary checks.

"We'll examine all the treatment books for all runners and all the horses engaged will be trotted up by vets," Bailey said.

"We take these measures to ensure that by five o'clock we have a clear idea about the fitness of the entire field.

"There are currently no issues with any of the runners. So far, so good,"

International contenders continue to dominate Cup discussions with a groundswell of support for Mount Athos, Voleuse De Coeurs, Dunaden, Red Cadeaux, Verema and Dandino.