Monday 6 February 2012

McEvoy to ride Sepoy in Dubai

By Mathew Toogood

Kerrin McEvoy is looking to next month's World Cup night in Dubai with great anticipation after being given the nod by Sheikh Mohammed to ride star colts Sepoy and Helmet.

McEvoy had been waiting in hope since the announcement in late November the colts would join Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin team for the Dubai World Cup night of racing on March 31.

The jockey first came to the attention of Sheikh Mohammed and the Godolphin team in 2002 after riding four winners in a day including the Group One Dubai Racing Club Cup at Caulfield.

That led to him riding Godolphin's Beekeeper to third in the 2002 Melbourne Cup and a stint in Dubai for the racing operation in early 2003.

From 2004 to 2008 McEvoy became Godolphin's number two rider behind Frankie Dettori, before he returned home to Australia to take up the position of stable jockey for Sheikh Mohammed's Darley team.

The 31-year-old has ridden Sepoy in all four of the colt's Group One triumphs and has partnered Helmet in his three Group One successes.

Godolphin confirmed McEvoy's booking to ride Sepoy in the Group One Dubai Golden Shaheen over 1200m on the Tapeta surface and also Helmet in the UAE Derby (1900m).

McEvoy has ridden at five World Cup meetings but the 2012 edition will be his first since 2008 and also his first at the new Meydan complex.

"It's very exciting," McEvoy said.

"I'm quite happy and pleased to be given the job of riding them over there and it's going to be great to be back competing at the World Cup meeting.

"I was just waiting. Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin hadn't finalised their riders so I just had to wait and see what their decision was because they (Sepoy and Helmet) are going over there in Godolphin's colours so there was every chance Frankie (Dettori) could have got the ride.

"But I'm very happy they have gone with me."

Helmet is set to resume in the CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday week while Sepoy is due to return in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield a week later.

Their Australian trainer Peter Snowden will continue to train the colts for their Dubai assignments but they will race in the royal blue colours of Godolphin before being transferred to one of Godolphin's trainers for the European season.

McEvoy's biggest success for Godolphin in the northern hemisphere was the 2004 English St Leger on Rule Of Law while at the World Cup meeting he won the UAE Derby on Blues And Royals in 2005.

He also won a Caulfield Cup in Australia for Godolphin on All The Good in 2008.

"I'm really looking forward to the night. It's great to go over there to represent not only Godolphin but Australia and Australian racing as well," McEvoy said.

He is hopeful he can pick up other rides on the program, depending on how many horses Godolphin have entered at the star-studded meeting.

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