2025 Queensland Oaks: Kerrin McEvoy aiming to become second jockey to win race four times

Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy is riding for a record-equalling fourth win in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks on favourite Philia at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy is riding for a record-equalling fourth win in the Group 1 $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on favourite Philia at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

McEvoy has won the fillies classic previously on Youngstar (2018), Egg Tart (2017) and Purple (2009) and – if he is successful on Philia – will join Chris Munce as the only jockeys to ride four Queensland Oaks winners.

Trained by David Vandyke, Philia has won four races in succession and is attempting to complete The Roses-Oaks double last achieved by Youngstar seven years ago.

McEvoy ridden Philia in her last two wins and is convinced the filly will stay a strong 2200m in the Oaks.

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“I don’t think 2200m will be a problem for her,’’ McEvoy said. “She feels like a stayer so the extra furlong (a200m) should be fine.

“We have drawn out a little bit but she has tactical speed to settle somewhere in the front half and off-set that barrier.

“It was good to hear David have a nice report after her work earlier this week and I’m looking forward to the race.’’

.@KPMcEvoy guides Philia to victory in The Roses for @vandykeracing13! pic.twitter.com/Y24NJjvqxC

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025

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McEvoy has an opportunity to secure the three-year-old classic double when he rides Godolphin’s Lavalier in the Group $1 million Queensland Derby (2400m).

Lavalier, trained by James Cummings, is rated a $14 chance for the Derby, a race McEvoy hasn’t previously won.

“I thought Lavalier was good in the SA Derby (third to Femminile) last start,’’ McEvoy said.

“He had to do a bit of work early to get into a spot but then he stayed on well and showed he can run the trip.

“I was able to ride him in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm the other day and he’s a nice, big horse to sit on. He’s a good ride for the Derby.’’

It's a maiden G1 triumph for Femminile who grabs the lead in the final furlong & holds off the fast-finishing favourite to win the South Australian Derby 🙌@[e-mail]/bhIKbDWCBG

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 3, 2025

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In the past decade, four Queensland Derby winners have come out of the SA Derby including Warmonger, who was second at Morphettville before romping home at Eagle Farm by more than 10 lengths last year.

Mr Quickie was third in the SA Derby before winning the Queensland Derby in 2019, Ruthven was second in Adelaide before his Eagle Farm success in 2017 and Magicool followed his fourth in the SA Derby by winning in Queensland a decade ago.

McEvoy, who has ridden 73 Australian Group 1 winners and another 12 majors overseas, is also the new rider of the Chris Waller-trained Democracy Manifest, a $34 chance in the Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m).

Originally published as 2025 Queensland Oaks: Kerrin McEvoy aiming to become second jockey to win race four times