Kerrin McEvoy is the $20 million man – but winning the Melbourne Cup on Cross Counter meant more than money.
This was about paying back Godolphin for the faith they have shown in him over a career which has seen him grow from boy to man.
It was McEvoys third Melbourne Cup victory. The first, on Brew in 2000, earned him a job as a retained jockey with the boys in blue. The second came 16 years later, on Lloyd Williams Almandin. But No.3 was the icing on the cake as it completed the circle with Godolphin.
'It's unreal': Kerrin McEvoy celebrates with the Melbourne Cup and a kiss from wife Cathy.Credit:Justin McManus
“All these years I kept saying to my wife, Cathy, They are going to win it one year and I want to be part of it, McEvoy said. They did so much for us. I was on right one. Its unreal. My gut was telling me all the way along to ride this bloke. After [trainer] Charlie [Appleby] rang me I couldnt get it out of my mind. He gave me such a good push for the horse.”
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The win took McEvoys prizemoney earnings past the $20m barrier for 2018. He won the $13m Everest four weeks ago on Redzel before adding the $7m Cup.
McEvoy had his slice of luck on Tuesday. When The Cliffsofmoher broke down passing the post for the first time, McEvoy was directly in the line of fire and was lucky to miss him. Having avoided that, he feared he was too far back coming to the home turn.
“We were lucky, on the first turn, with that horse breaking down. We were lucky to get through,” McEvoy said. “I was back a bit further than I wanted. I knew that I was full of running – I was on the back of Yucatan. He seemed to be empty. At the 400 [metre mark[ I said that I had to go my own way, and I was full of running. At the furlong I thought, Mate, is this happening again?.
“It is a great feeling but better because me and Charlie are good mates from my time over in England. To do it with him only adds to this Cup.”
McEvoys smile when he came from the presentation ceremony told the whole story. Instead of the miniature replica trophy, he was clutching the Cup itself.
McEvoy is a family man now, with four kids, and he made them a promise if won The Everest and the Melbourne Cup.
I promised them a swimming pool, but Cathy and myself have been looking for a bigger house, he said. I guess Cathy will be looking on the weekend.
Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald
