Kerrin McEvoy will be the new rider for Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan when he resumes in the Group 1 $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on February 27.
Kerrin McEvoy will ride Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan, above, in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The Murray Baker trained Mongolian Khan claimed his bit of Australian Turf History with a commanding win in the 2015 Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield with top New Zealand jockey Opie Bosson in the saddle.
But the Cambridge trainer has opted for McEvoy to partner the Holy Roman Emperor four year old when he kicks off his Sydney Autumn Carnival campaign.
“It’s only for the one race but it’s exciting to be on a Caulfield Cup winner,” McEvoy told AAP.
Mongolian Khan made his first public appearance at the Matamata trials in New Zealand on February 9 since winning the Caulfield Cup with Bosson reporting that he felt very well after he had trouble pulling him up after passing the post.
Mongolian Khan has also recovered from a life threatening case of colic and both Baker and Bosson were very happy with the stallions sixth placing in the 1200m heat.
“He felt good, very strong the last bit, then he didn’t want to pull up!” Bosson told Baker.
Baker was just glad to see Mongolian Khan competing at any level after he was close to death when he developed a severe case of colic following his win in the Caulfield Cup.
“He was a very sick horse for a while there,” Baker said.
“But the main thing is they didn’t have to operate. They did a marvellous job at the Werribee Clinic and it’s thanks to them that we’ve still got a racehorse.”
Mongolian Khan is nominated for both the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and the Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) both at Randwick on April 9, the second day of ‘The Championships’ and Baker is keen to get his Autumn Carnival campaign underway in the Chipping Norton Stakes.
“The Chipping Norton over 1600 metres at Randwick would be a good race to kick him off in,” Baker said.
Mongolian Khan is also a dual Derby winner with wins in the 2015 Group 1 NZ$750,000 TV3 NZ Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie and in the 2015 Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.
In early betting for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au, Mongolian Khan is marked at $13 with the Chris Waller trained Cox Plate winner Winx heading the market order at $3.
