Above: Jockey Michael Rodd is all smiles after winning on Iris In The Glen at Sandown on Saturday.
By Glen Atwell
INTERNATIONAL jockey Kerrin McEvoy had a smile on his dial when he jetted back to Dubai on Monday.
His victory on Gypsy Battalia (TAB $16.60) in Saturday’s $45,000 Greater Dandenong Cup at Sandown was a fitting farewell for the master hoop.
It was only McEvoy’s second meeting back after he fell badly at Flemington on Oaks Day last year and he was thrilled to record his first victory.
“I’m trying to get my eye back,” he said.
“There’s nothing like a couple of days riding to get the fitness back.”
McEvoy said he always enjoyed returning to Australia and riding, despite enduring two horrendous falls in his last two spring campaigns.
Gypsy Battalia was perfectly ridden by McEvoy, who sat just off the pace for most of the race before dashing to the lead in the straight.
The horse and hoop held on gallantly to score from Sister Sweet and Arctic Silver.
Arctic Silver was actually second past the post, but Cranbourne trainers Bruce and Jean Purcell successfully protested on behalf of Sister Sweet.
McEvoy has returned to Dubai to ride in major international meetings in March and all the lead-up events in February.
But as usual, the worldly jockey won’t stay put.
“I will have a couple of months riding in Dubai and then head back to England for their flat season, which runs from May to October.
“I will then return to Melbourne for the spring, and the hope of better luck,” McEvoy added, referring to his last two Spring Racing Carnivals, which ended with injury.
