A victory in the Five Diamonds aboard Verona Rose would provide jockey Kerrin McEvoy with a significant consolation prize, following his inability to contest The Golden Eagle with Skyhook.
McEvoy, the regular partner of the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Skyhook, was unable to ride the horse in the $10 million feature race last weekend due to a suspension incurred for a whip infraction.
He admitted that watching Skyhook win from afar was a bittersweet moment, but he maintained his usual graciousness and pragmatic outlook.
“It was disappointing for me not to be there on the big day, but at the same time it was pleasing to see the horse go out and get the job done,” McEvoy said.
“Gerald and Sterling and myself, we were all of the opinion he’d gone to a new level, that this time in was going to be his time to shine, and that’s exactly what he’s shown.
“I cracked open a beer, and then I watched poor old Harry Coffey hit the deck (on Derby Day at Flemington), and I came to the realisation it’s not all that bad.”
McEvoy returned to the track at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day, securing a win in one of the supporting events on The Big Dance program.
However, a win on the Gary Portelli-trained Verona Rose in Saturday’s $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) would go a long way towards easing the sting of missing out on The Golden Eagle.
“You obviously get the bit between your teeth and want to get back out there,” McEvoy commented.
“I know Gary has got her in really good form and she deserves her chance in a race like that.”
Verona Rose, a dual Group stakes winner, finished third to Skyhook when resuming in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m). This was followed by placings in the Golden Pendant (1400m) and The Invitation (1400m).
Her strong finishes in those races, coupled with her performance in the 2025 ATC Oaks (2400m) where she was only beaten three lengths, give McEvoy confidence that the 1800m distance will be suitable for the mare.
“She showed enough promise to go out in trip as a three-year-old, so you’d think she could handle that, no problem at all,” he said.
In other feature races, McEvoy is set to partner Modella for Lee and Cherie Curtis in the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m), and Exo Velocity for Chris Waller in the $1 million Golden Gift (1100m).
Exo Velocity, the colt, was impressive on debut, winning the Kirkham Plate (1000m) last month. While McEvoy has not ridden the filly since, he is relying on Waller’s judgment for her continued campaign.
“She gave me a nice feel, and she quickened really well. She’s an exciting filly for the future,” he remarked.
“She’s a Magic Millions filly so it must set up for her well to run in this and then potentially come back for something up there.
“She’s got to go out there and do it all right again at Rosehill, which is a trickier circuit for a high-pressure two-year-old race, but she’s going the right way.”
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