McEvoy’s big weekend off to flying start

Kerrin McEvoy wins on Godolphin’s Animalia at Newcastle ahead of his G1 assignment on Hartnell.

A win in Godolphin’s royal blue silks at Newcastle could be a portent of things to come for Kerrin McEvoy as he prepares to ride Group One Makybe Diva Stakes favourite Hartnell.

McEvoy has eight rides at Flemington on Saturday, four of them for Godolphin trainer James Cummings, headlined by Hartnell.

It will be the first time the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey has ridden Hartnell in a race and he plans to make the most of his opportunity.

“I’ve only ridden him in the one jump-out but I’ve obviously seen a fair bit of him,” McEvoy said.

“He’s a worthy favourite in that race tomorrow so hopefully I can get the job done.

“He was very dominant first-up and the stable says he’s come out of that race in good form so everything points to him being very hard to beat.”

McEvoy and Godolphin honed their combination with victory in the opening race at Friday’s Newcastle Cup meeting.

Animalia was strong to the line over 1600 metres and McEvoy expects the three-year-old to appreciate further.

The in-form jockey notched an early double when the Chris Waller-trained Bella Galeano held on for a narrow win a race later.

“It’s a good day’s racing here and a nice little prelude into tomorrow,” McEvoy said.