McEvoy: ‘I’m still striving for that elusive Cox Plate.’

Superstar jockey Kerrin McEvoy has won it all but there is one race that still eludes his trophy cabinet, the 2040 metre W.S. Cox Plate.

Kerrin McEvoy has won big races all around the world but the Cox Plate is one the champion jockey is desperate to win. 

The Cox Plate is known as a true weight-for-age test with McEvoy’s best result in the time honoured race a third behind Winx in 2017. 

One horse that might take him there this year is Hungry Heart, who McEvoy has a great opinion of after taking out the Vinery Stud Stakes and ATC Oaks aboard her during the Autumn carnival. 

“I’d like to think I would get back on Hungry Heart given our two Group 1 wins earlier this year, she’s a mare that could end up heading for a Caulfield Cup or you never know even a Cox Plate. 

“I rode her the other morning and she feels in fantastic order. She’s just at the start of her campaign and getting ready for trials. She’s definitely grown that little bit more so it’s going to be interesting to see how she can stack up,” said McEvoy. 

Hungry Heart contributed to McEvoy’s successful 2020/2021 season winning two of his three Group 1’s over the past twelve months. 

His other Group 1 victory came during the Spring aboard Kiwi mare Probabeel, combining to win the Epsom Handicap. 

McEvoy also became a three-time Everest winning jockey, taking out the $15,000,000 sprint on Classique Legend in dominant fashion. 

“Overall personally it’s been a pleasing season, any season where you get a couple of Group 1’s and a few majors is a highlight. 

“Little bit down on the number of winners, I had a heap of metropolitan placings which is a bit frustrating as you turn 20 of those into winners and it helps where you sit on the table,” said McEvoy. 

McEvoy sits in one of the most competitive jockey rooms in the world which includes the likes of James McDonald who McEvoy believes to be the best jockey in Australia right now. 

“J-Mac has gone to a new level over the last year and 18 months. He’s an unbelievable jockey, he’s an athlete, he’s strong and a great judge of pace, he’s been winning races for fun,” said McEvoy.

James McDonald currently leads the Sydney Metro Premiership on 121 wins. Whilst down south the rise of premiership leading jockey Jamie Kah hasn’t gone unnoticed by McEvoy praising her talent in the saddle.

“Jamie has been riding fantastic, she’s a wonderful equine athlete and she gets them running so smoothly and they just enjoy galloping for her and she’s been a joy to watch,” lauded McEvoy. 

With the Spring Carnival fast approaching, attention turns to the Melbourne Cup and Everest carnivals which are races McEvoy has won on three occasions.

McEvoy often finds himself on international gallopers in the ‘race that stops a nation’ most recently aboard runner-up Tiger Moth in last year’s Melbourne Cup. 

However, this year he admits he may have to look closer to home and stick with a local hope after Racing Victoria have brought in strict new regulations for international horses. 

“It’s definitely going to make it a bit interesting to see if there’s any internationals that come down or whether it’s going to be locals.

“I’m lucky enough to be riding for the Chris Waller stable and I can see Chris Waller winning the Melbourne Cup at one stage in the near future. He’s always got a good barn full of young stayers on the rise so we’ll play it by year,” said an optimistic McEvoy. 

However, one horse that McEvoy will almost certainly continue his association with is Classique Legend after owner Bon Ho decided to bring him back to Australia to defend his title in the Everest. 

“Both Les Bridge and I are lucky to have him back here in Australia and Les is reporting to me that he’s been happy and seems to be settling back into his old familiar surroundings nicely. 

“I’ve been lucky enough to ride him a couple of times and he’s definitely bouncing around feeling well so he’s the main one I’m looking forward to,” said McEvoy.

After a busy Winter period McEvoy plans to take a short 7-10 day break later this month to rest up and prepare for a big Spring Carnival. 

Quick Fire Questions

• Best horse you’ve ridden: Shamardal 

• Most memorable win: 2000 Melbourne Cup

• Favourite racecourse to ride on: Flemington

• Most annoying jockey in the jockeys room: Regan Bayliss

• Trainer that gives the biggest spray: John O’Shea

• Go to cheat meal: Chinese

• Favourite sport away from racing: AFL (Sydney Swans)

• The Everest or Melbourne Cup: Melbourne Cup

Fill In the Form Below To Receive Our Racing News & Tips Straight To Your Email For FREE!