Leading jockey Kerrin McEvoy has the opportunity to win on Guelph for the first time this preparation in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday after missing the ride on the classy filly in the Group 3 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago.
Guelph is chasing her third win at Group 1 level in the Flight Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
McEvoy rode Guelph to victory in both the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) during the 2013 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival but suffered just his third defeat on the daughter of Exceed And Excel when she was beaten by Bound For Earth in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m).
Guelph returned to the winners circle with her win in the Tea Rose Stakes but McEvoy was unable to take the ride due to suspension; with Hugh Bowman partnering the champion two-year-old.
McEvoy is clearly excited to partner the three-year-old again and is confident that she will be very difficult to beat in the Flight Stakes this weekend.
“I know it’s only a small field and she might have scared a few away, but it’s a very select field,” McEvoy told TVN.
“Her work on Tuesday morning was really good and she’s going to come out all guns blazing on Saturday.”
Guelph was included in the second acceptances for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), which were released by Racing Victoria last week, and trainer Peter Snowden has indicated that he is open to the idea of Guelph becoming the first filly to contest the race since Samantha Miss in 2008.
McEvoy said he is only concerned about picking up wins in the Flight Stakes and Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m); stating that he has not looked ahead to the $3 million Australasian Weight-For-Age Championship.
“She’s got two goals to overcome in the next few weeks before we even contemplate anything else,” McEvoy said.
“The Cox Plate hasn’t even been spoken about.
“I know she’s still in it but she’s got two other races to worry about first.”
Guelph is aiming to become the thirteenth filly to complete the Tea Rose Stakes/Flight Stakes double – joining the likes of Streama, Samantha Miss and Sunline.
