Racing: McEvoy goes for the doctor

SYDNEY - Doctor Fremantle might be having only his second Australian start in Saturday's Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but jockey Kerrin McEvoy has been aware of his ability for quite some time.

McEvoy rode in Europe as a stable rider for Godolphin from 2002 to 2008 and during his time there rode Doctor Fremantle to fourth in the 2008 English Derby, when the entire was trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

The jockey reunites with Doctor Fremantle for the first time since the Derby on Saturday at Randwick and expects a strong showing.

He was a multiple group winner in England at distances from 2080m to 2474m. "I've ridden him [in work] a few times since he's been up here in Sydney and he's in good shape," McEvoy said.

Doctor Fremantle finished sixth, beaten five lengths by Lord Tavistock, in the group two Blamey Stakes (1600m) last month at Flemington at his only Australian start. The son of Sadler's Wells won a 1200m barrier trial at Warwick Farm on April 9.

"He sat back in the trial, Rangirangdoo wasn't having a hard trial, but he [Doctor Fremantle] zipped home nicely," McEvoy said.

"I rode him in the English Derby and he ran a good race. His best trip is probably the 2000m so he's one of the horses that if he adapts well, he's got the ability."

Freedman predicted Doctor Fremantle would run "very well" and said the six weeks between the Blamey and Queen Elizabeth was not an issue.

"The horse is fit and well, I'm looking forward to Saturday," Freedman said yesterday.

He will be chasing a group one double at Randwick with Lonhro colt The Ruffian to run in the Champagne Stakes (1600m).

The Ruffian won a Kyneton Maiden (1200m) on debut last month before finishing second to Stirling Grove in the group three Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) in Adelaide.

"He's only had the two runs but he's a horse we've got a good opinion of and he's crying out for the mile," Freedman said. "We want to give him a run at the mile and then get him to the paddock."

Lonhro's little sister Shannara will be given her first try in stakes company in the listed James HB Carr Stakes at Randwick.

Trainer Peter Snowden has targeted the 1400m fillies' race for two months with the full-sister to multiple group one winners Lonhro and Niello.

Shannara was an impressive winner in a midweek race over 1300m at Warwick Farm on March 24 and Snowden said she was easily the most talented of the fillies to come from the Octagonal-Shadea mating.

"She's a high-quality filly and the form around her has been franked about four times," Snowden said.

"It's the perfect race for her and she's done really well."

- AAP