DREAMS of a British success in next week’s Melbourne Cup rest in the hands of a legendary Aussie.
Newmarket trainer James Ferguson has secured the services of Kerrin McEvoy for his big-race favourite Deauville Legend.
The three-year-old is the 9-2 market leader with Paddy Power for the contest that is nicknamed ‘the race that stops a nation’.
The £4.5 million handicap will take place at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne at 4am on November 1.
It is the biggest meeting of the year in Australia – and famous for huge crowds of boozy punters.
Deauville Legend has been trained with the two-mile showpiece in mind for the last SIX months.
Part of Ferguson’s long-term plan has been nailing down old pal McEvoy, 42, who has three wins in the Melbourne Cup to his name.
Ferguson was assistant trainer to Charlie Appleby when McEvoy rode Cross Counter to victory in the Melbourne Cup back in 2018.
McEvoy, who has won over £100 million in prize-money during his glittering career, also bagged the race in 2000 and 2016.
And McEvoy, who rode Rule Of Law to win the St Leger at Doncaster back in 2004 during a successful stint in the UK, has reunited with Ferguson ahead of the most important race in the Australian calendar.
He was in the saddle at Deauville Legend completed a fast piece of work at Werribee racecourse on Tuesday morning, and Ferguson said the jockey was grinning from ear to ear.
Ferguson said: “Kerrin came in and sat on him for a second time today and he just did an easy mile building into the final two furlongs.
“He had a big smile on his face.
“He’s a man that has ridden three Melbourne Cup winners before so he knows what’s required.
“I’m really happy with the way he’s travelled.
“He’s looking great, doing well and hasn’t missed a beat since he has been here so we can’t ask for much more.”
Deauville Legend is one of only two British-trained runners set to tackle the Melbourne Cup.
Father and son team Simon and Ed Crisford saddle 10-1 shot Without A Fight.
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