Kerrin McEvoy's Group 1 double aboard Prince Fawaz (Fastnet Rock) and Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) at Eagle Farm on Saturday propelled him to seven Group 1 wins for the season, which when added to two of the richest races in Australia without Group 1 status, The Everest and the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, sees him move to $25,696,130* in total wins for 2018-19.
That's a truly astounding figure, assisted by the fact McEvoy has won the richest races in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this season. When the big money is on offer, McEvoy comes to the fore.
Kerrin McEvoy (centre) won Australia's richest race, The Everest for the second time in 2019. Pictured with Triple Crown Syndications' Michael and Chris Ward
A key to that success has been of course the rekindling of his relationship with Godolphin, a connection which once launched his career internationally, and after a hiatus, has now underwritten his excellent 2018/19 season.
Of his seven Group 1 victories this season, three have been for the Blue Army, including a famous Melbourne Cup success on Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) for trainer Charlie Appleby. But it is the burgeoning relationship between he and James Cummings which has been the key part of the puzzle.
While James McDonald continues to be the main man for Cummings, McEvoy has ridden 16 winners at a strike rate of over 20 per cent for him this season. He has been elevated from Cummings' seventh most used jockey 12 months' ago to his third most used this season.
McEvoy's winning ride on Trekking in the G1 Stradbroke on Saturday was a great example as to why. McEvoy gave the 4-year-old a perfect position back in the field off a strong speed and brought him with a well-timed run for the easiest of victories.
It is clear that trainer and jockey have a mutual trust in each other's abilities.
Kerrin McEvoy with Godolphin's James Cummings after their win in the G1 Stradbroke with Trekking
"It was great to get that win with him," McEvoy told Sky Sports Radio. "He's a little horse who I have had a great run with and James has mapped out a couple of really crucial preparations for him. He's really improved."
"He got in with that nice handicap race after running a slashing race in the weight-for-age race. He gets in with 54 and I went in there quietly confident going in."
McEvoy is a big fan of how Cummings goes about his business. Having won five Group 1s in his first full season with Godolphin, Cummings has won eight this season, five of them since Golden Slipper Day in March.
"I think he's very measured. He's got a great approach to it all. He's willing to learn and he is willing to keep learning," McEvoy said of Cummings.
"He's willing to learn and he is willing to keep learning." - Kerrin McEvoy
"He is a student of the game. He is always openly telling you about horses left right and centre, whether it’s a maiden, a Class 6 horse or a group horse."
"Patience plays a big part when you have a team that size. He has a good team around him. I was always quietly confident that James was going to handle the pressure of the job and I think that's showing."
McEvoy describes Cummings as someone who is a student of the game
A Cummings double
Trekking's win completed an amazing day for the Cummings family, with McEvoy also steering Prince Fawaz to victory in the G1 JJ Atkins S. for James' father Anthony.
"It was a great day for the Cummings, and I'm sure that Bart would have looked down with a wry smile as he used to do on the way it unfolded there yesterday for the Cummings family," McEvoy said.
McEvoy hasn’t had more than a handful of rides for Anthony Cummings this season, and less than 100 in his career, but was happy to take the opportunity to ride the promising son of Fastnet Rock on Saturday.
"It was a great day for the Cummings, and I'm sure that Bart would have looked down with a wry smile." - Kerrin McEvoy
"Credit to the horse for what he has been able to do. He is a really promising colt that has gone to a new level this time," McEvoy said.
"There is no reason to think he can’t improve that bit more and strengthen into next preparation. They are going to have great fun with him next prep. It will be great to see where he may end up in terms of trip, and there's a lot of thinking to be done by connections over the next few months heading into the spring."
Kerrin McEvoy and Prince Fawaz returning to scale after their win in the G1 JJ Atkins S.
While it was McEvoy's first ride on the colt, there is every chance he will be on board to play his part in the spring.
Cummings gave an indication of his expectations for the spring, when speaking to Sky Sports Radio on Sunday.
"Any 3-year-old colt heading towards the spring is going towards the Golden Rose and we are no different to that,” Cummings said.
“The shape of the spring has changed a lot, with the new races in Sydney and the traditional races, the Caulfield Guineas and the like, which have been seen as stallion making races, and that is what we want to try and do with him."
“They are in Melbourne in the main part and the main race here for that is the Golden Rose, so Golden Rose first and we need to sit down and look at the lay of the land for all those races and make some decision but certainly races like the Caulfield Guineas and the Cox Plate are the traditional ones."
“We will have a look at other things that are there that make sense for him on the way through or beyond that perhaps, it is going to be pretty interesting.”
McEvoy, meanwhile, has a date with Royal Ascot with the likelihood of additional opportunities for Charlie Appleby with William Buick ruled out for the medium term.
*Prizemoney according to Racing Australia
