McEvoy Breaks Grafton Cup Drought
Champion jockey completes rare carnival double aboard King Pedro
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy has added another prestigious title to his glittering career, claiming his first Grafton Cup and becoming just the seventh rider in history to complete the coveted South Grafton Cup-Grafton Cup double.
McEvoy guided the Tom Charlton-trained King Pedro to victory in Thursday’s Listed Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup (2350m), just days after partnering Mr Chaplin to success in the South Grafton Cup. The achievement ended a 29-year wait for a jockey to complete the unique carnival double and added another chapter to the history of the Grafton July Racing Carnival.
Despite boasting three Melbourne Cup victories among his many career highlights, McEvoy admitted winning Grafton’s signature staying race was particularly satisfying.
The victory was anything but straightforward.
A slowly run race turned into a tactical battle that appeared to favour horses racing near the lead, leaving King Pedro, who settled towards the rear of the field, with plenty to do approaching the home turn.
Trainer Tom Charlton admitted he was concerned as the race unfolded.
“I’d been watching the earlier races all day and nothing was making ground,” Charlton said.
“Early in the race I was worried because it wasn’t being run to suit him, but full credit to the horse. He picked himself up and overcame it.”
McEvoy initially looked for a run along the rails before being forced to alter course when the gap disappeared. Switching to the outside, he allowed King Pedro to unleash the explosive finishing sprint that has become the gelding’s trademark.
“When I got him into the clear he had a lot of ground to make up, but he really powered home,” McEvoy said.
“I wanted the fence, but when that option closed I had to go to Plan B. He’s got an electric turn of foot and showed exactly what he’s capable of.”
King Pedro charged down the centre of the track to defeat the Chris Waller-trained Etna Rosso by a neck, while pace-setter Kaluakoi held on bravely for third, another neck away.
The win continued the outstanding recent form of the four-year-old, who arrived in Grafton after claiming the Stayers Cup at Rosehill. The victory improved his record to four wins from 16 starts and lifted his career earnings beyond $360,000.
Charlton believes the talented stayer has earned the opportunity to compete in much stronger company during the spring carnival.
A short freshen-up is planned before attention turns towards races such as the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick, while the stable has not ruled out targeting two-mile staying events next year.
OTC Racing representative Gus Boyd praised both the horse and his jockey after the race.
“It wasn’t run to suit him because the tempo was so slow, but Kerrin just read the race beautifully,” Boyd said.
“He found the right path at exactly the right time and that’s what the best jockeys do.”
The victory capped a memorable Grafton July Racing Carnival for McEvoy, whose South Grafton Cup and Grafton Cup double now stands alongside the event’s finest riding achievements.
