Racing: McEvoy back with an old mate

Lucia Valentina was an unlucky loser of the Caulfield Cup after being forced to cover ground and then being forced even wider on the home turn. Photo / Thinkstock

International jockey Kerrin McEvoy got his big break when Brew provided the then apprentice with the 2000 Melbourne Cup.

McEvoy, who went on to ride successfully in Europe for Godolphin, caught up with 20-year-old Brew at the Melbourne Cup launch yesterday and said he owed it all to that horse.

Fourteen years on from that ride, McEvoy will be trying to fend off the international invasion when he rides adopted Australian Lucia Valentina in the Melbourne Cup next week.

Lucia Valentina, a Kiwi-bred 4-year-old who did her early racing in her home country, is on the third line of betting at $6.50 behind Caulfield Cup winner Admire Rakti ($4) and Protectionist ($6).

McEvoy said he had not been aboard Lucia Valentina since her third in the Caulfield Cup on October 18 and would venture to Sandown today to partner her in a gallop.

He said he was looking forward to getting back aboard the mare and reported trainer Kris Lees was happy with her condition.

As a precaution after thunderstorms on Sunday night and yesterday morning which caused delays to trackwork, Lees has nominated Lucia Valentina for the weight-for-age Myer Classic on Saturday in case the mare needs a hit-out before the Melbourne Cup.

McEvoy believes the daughter of Savabeel should have no problems handling the 3200m at Flemington.

He said Lucia Valentina was an unlucky loser of the Caulfield Cup after being forced to cover ground and then being forced even wider on the home turn.

"It will be her first try at the distance, so that is a little bit of a query," McEvoy said.

"I would be very happy if we had a bit of rain on Monday evening before the Cup like we did last night as she really enjoys soft going.

"She relaxes very well, she's a horse that can conserve energy very well and is easy to ride. You need a lot of luck to win a Melbourne Cup, every jockey, trainer and owner knows that but my gut feeling is that she will run it out strongly."

McEvoy already has some good rides for the opening two days of the carnival.

He gets the chance to land his first Victoria Derby when he rides $2.90 Gai Waterhouse-trained favourite Hampton Court who lists broadcaster Alan Jones and James Packer among his owners.

- AAP