Missing out on a win in The Golden Eagle with Skyhook will not be fully compensated by a victory aboard Verona Rose in the Five Diamonds, but it will offer Kerrin McEvoy a significant consolation.
McEvoy, who regularly rode the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Skyhook, was unable to partner the horse in the $10 million feature last weekend due to a suspension stemming from a whip infraction.
Observing Skyhook’s triumph from a distance, McEvoy described the experience as bittersweet, yet he responded with his characteristic grace and a balanced perspective.
“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 stated.
“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 saddle at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day and secured a win in a support race on The Big Dance program.
However, a triumph on the Gary Portelli-trained Verona Rose in Saturday’s $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) would significantly help to alleviate the sting of his Golden Eagle absence.
“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-level stakes winner, finished third to Skyhook when resuming in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m). She subsequently achieved placings in the Golden Pendant (1400m) and The Invitation (1400m).
Although she was finishing strongly in both those races and has not yet won beyond a mile, her performance in the 2025 ATC Oaks (2400m), where she was only beaten three lengths, provides McEvoy with confidence that the 1800m trip will be suitable.
“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 explained.
In other feature races on the day, McEvoy is scheduled to ride 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).
The two-year-old colt demonstrated an impressive victory in the Kirkham Plate (1000m) on debut last month. While McEvoy has not ridden Exo Velocity since that initial outing, he trusts Waller’s judgment regarding the filly’s 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.”
For those keen to get involved, the Five Diamonds presents an intriguing betting proposition with numerous online bookmakers offering competitive racing odds.
