Spreyton trainer Adam Trinder has confirmed that one of the most successful group 1 jockeys of all time will ride Mystic Journey in the $1 million Empire Rose at Flemington on Derby Day.
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Trinder secured the services of top Sydney jockey Kerrin McEvoy when he learned that Luke Currie, who rode the mare to victory in the Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley three weeks ago, would be unavailable.
"Kerrin is now a firm booking," the trainer said.
"Unfortunately Luke is committed to the Tony McEvoy stable, which I respect, but we will lose nothing with Kerrin.
With 67 wins at the elite level, McEvoy is 11th on the all-time list of group 1-winning jockeys in Australia. The only current riders above him are Damien Oliver, Hugh Bowman and Glen Boss.
He is best-known for winning three Melbourne Cups on Brew, Almandin and Cross Counter.
Trinder gave Mystic Journey a gallop between races at Mowbray on Wednesday night and said she "felt really good."
"She was a little bit lost on her own but it was just about bringing her away for the evening and giving her a bit of a raceday experience," he said.
"She really enjoyed her work and, although she might not have looked impressive visually, she never does on her own.
"Her times and action were fine.
"We've still got just over two weeks to the Empire Rose so she'll have a good gallop with company next Tuesday morning which should bring her right to where she needs to be.
"Then it will just be a matter of ticking her over."
Mystic Journey has firmed to $6 for the group 1 mares' race, originally known as the Myer Classic, and is a clear-cut favourite with tab.com.au.
RISING STARS IN ACTION AT MOWBRAY
The Launceston Pacing Club has attracted some up-and-coming stars to Mowbray on Sunday night for its two main races.
The Faithful Park Stud 3YO sees Watchmylips returning form a spell in search of his fifth win in seven starts and, although he hasn't raced since June, he thrashed some handy rivals in a Hobart trial 11 days ago.
He comes up against Blame It On Me, who returned from a broken pastern bone to record her sixth win in Hobart last week, and Kivik who is chasing his third win in a row.
The other six runners have all shown enough to be competitive in a race worth $10,000.
The same money will be up for grabs in the Carlton Draught 2YO where fillies got preference at the barrier draw and, as a result, the flying Bridwood Bella will start from the pole.
After 1:57.4 and 1:57.7 wins at her first two starts, she will be at short odds but the appearance of former Kiwi gelding Demand Respect adds interest to the race.
Now with Juanita McKenzie, he has won over 2000m at Oamaru rating 1:57.9.
This weekend's gallops meeting is at Elwick on Saturday to coincide with the Caulfield Cup.
