Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2016: The United States has dash to land double, says Kerrin McEvoy

POLL: THE United States is looking to become the first horse in a decade to win the Ranvet Stakes-Queen Elizabeth double when he lines up in the $4m feature on at Randwick on Saturday.

Nic Ashman

2 min read

April 6, 2016 - 4:40PM

The United States no5, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy wins race 4 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney, Saturday, March 19, 2016. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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THE United States is looking to become the first horse in a decade to win the Ranvet Stakes — Queen Elizabeth Stakes double when he lines up in Sydney’s $4 million feature on Saturday at Royal Randwick.

A substantial prizemoney increase ensured the Queen Elizabeth Stakes became Sydney’s biggest race in 2014 but the weight-for-age event has always boasted a brilliant honour roll, including 2007 hero Desert War.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained frontrunner, who was renowned for his toughness and was one of the hardest horses to get past in his day.

The United States is “a different type of horse to Desert War”, according to his jockey Kerrin McEvoy, but just as capable of completing the same double.

“Desert War was your grinding type that drew the sprint out of his rivals whereas The United States has a good turn of foot,” McEvoy said. “Both can be very effective and Desert War was a genuine topliner but having a sharp sprint is a big advantage.”

The United States was back near last and made his run between horses nearer the inside when winning the Ranvet Stakes. McEvoy says not a lot will change in terms of tactics for the Lloyd Williams-owned galloper in Saturday’s main event.

“When you’re on a horse with a good turn of foot, you get the luxury of being able to hold them up for longer,” he said. “You can make ground quickly, which is vital in these big Group 1 races.

“I didn’t have to get rolling and make a wide run in the Ranvet. We just sat patiently and when the gap came he darted through it.

“We might not be back near last this week, he will be wherever he is comfortable and hopefully if he stays in his comfort zone then he will sprint quickly like we know he can do.”

McEvoy also rides Gallante for Williams in the $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m). The son of Montjeu showed big improvement last start when holding on for third in the Manion Cup.

“Libran won the Manion and is favourite for the Sydney Cup,” McEvoy said. “Gallante meets him 3kg better at the weights for his two and a half-length defeat — based on that he has to be a genuine winning chance.”

$4m QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES

Randwick, Saturday

1 CRITERION D Hayes & T Dabernig T Berry (2) 59kg

2 PREFERMENT C Waller H Bowman (5) 59kg

3 MONGOLIAN KHAN M Baker & A Forsman O Bosson (9) 59kg

4 OUR IVANHOWE L & A Freedman B Prebble (4) 59kg

5 THE UNITED STATES R Hickmott K McEvoy (8) 59kg

6 HAPPY TRAILS P Beshara D Dunn (3) 59kg

7 IT’S SOMEWHAT J O’Shea S Clipperton (11) 59kg

8 DIBAYANI D Hayes & T Dabernig N Hall (13) 59kg

9 HAPPY CLAPPER P Webster B Avdulla (1) 59kg

10 HAURAKI J O’Shea J McDonald (14) 59kg