Three-time Cup champ Kerrin McEvoy slammed over Absurde ‘travesty’

Three-time Melbourne Cup jockey Kerrin McEvoy has been accused of blowing up a chance at history with a bizarre ride.

Kerrin McEvoy would want that again. Photo: X and Getty Images

Did Kerrin McEvoy blow his chance to make history at the 2024 Melbourne Cup?

As $81 roughie Knight’s Choice claimed the 164th running of the great race, McEvoy may have been ruing a golden opportunity to become just the fourth ever jockey to win four Melbourne Cups.

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Legendary jockeys Bobby Lewis (1902, 1915, 1919, 1927) and Harry White (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979) sit on top of the list of most winningest jockeys, while the 44-year-old McEvoy claimed victory in 2000, 2016 and 2018.

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be as Knight’s Choice appeared to use the hole Absurde was looking to go through, racing away to win by a nose in a photo finish.

Knight’s Choice jockey Robbie Dolan couldn’t believe he had pulled off the victory, but pointed to the fact he’d pinched McEvoy’s run.

“There wasn’t enough room for me to come outside, so I decided to cut the corner,” Dolan explained.

“I heard Kerrin (McEvoy) giving me a call along the inside. I initially would have went for the run that he went for. He was going a little bit better than me.

“Once my horse spotted the gap and he sort of changed leads, and he just sort of picked up on me.

“Once I pulled the stick through, he found another gear again.

“He’s only a small little horse, but he gives his all every start, and that’s half the battle with him, I think and he’s proved a lot of people wrong.”

McEvoy in the pink helmet and white shirt only just missed out. Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

But Channel 10’s weather presenter Josh Holt hit out at the ride from the veteran jockey, blasting the tactic that saw McEvoy well back on Absurde.

Absurde, who at $10 was on the fourth line of betting, was as good a chance as anyone in a race after finishing seventh in the corresponding race in 2023.

In what was largely seen as a fairly weak field, Holt couldn’t believe what he was seeing as McEvoy was left at the back of the field before romping through and almost pinching the result.

“Why did Kerrin McEvoy go back to last on Absurde from barrier 7 with a question mark pending on the pace of the race??? Finishes 1 length off the winner in 5th,” Holt questioned.

A follower agreed it was a “very poor ride”, to which Holt replied: “Yes, I absolutely agree!

Finishing like a freight train.

“Even if he was just off midfield in the run he still wins IMO. Anyway that is racing.”

Holt added: “McEvoy will never sit on that horse again. Travesty beaten.”

The Ten weatherman also pointed out that Absurde didn’t miss the start and was in a good position early, arguing that: “Trying to pinch runs along the fence from last on the turn zigzagging through the field makes zero sense. Should have won.”

Another fan wrote: “Kerrin McEvoy has given Absurde an absolute stones btw.”

Another suggested: “Kerrin McEvoy would love that one back on Absurde I’d say but it was a great run nonetheless, maybe he can go even closer next year.”

Others argued McEvoy and Absurde was “unlucky”.

Kerrin McEvoy would want that again. Photo: X and Getty Images

McEvoy after winning the 2018 Melbourne Cup. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images

While in horseracing, a lower inside barrier is generally seen as an advantage as it covers less distance in a race as the horses have less ground to cover into the first bend.

But in Melbourne Cup history, barrier 7 has been something of a curse position as only Blackwood in 1924 has ever won from the barrier.

Barriers 7, 15 and 18 are the unluckiest in Melbourne Cup history, all of which have only had one winner.

McEvoy praised the horse, but suggested he had a bit too much to do too late.

“He ran fantastic,” McEvoy said. “He got in a nice rhythm. He relaxed well. I just sort of cut the corner and switched a couple of times up the running, but he was finishing really well the last bit.”

In a sport where a little can cost you a lot, McEvoy will be ruing missing his chance at history.

Originally published as Three-time Cup champ Kerrin McEvoy slammed over Absurde ‘travesty’