McEvoy To Ride Octavia In Cockram Stakes

Leading jockey Kerrin McEvoy will partner classy mare Octavia in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Kerrin McEvoy will ride Octavia when she steps up to Group 3 level in the Cockram Stakes. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

McEvoy will be reunited with trainer Mike Moroney and wear the same silks that he wore in the race that made his career – his victory in the 2000 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Brew.

The Darley jockey previously rode Octavia when she scored a narrow victory in the Listed Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in February and the four-year-old has been partnered by impressive apprentice Kayla Nisbet at her last two starts.

The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor finished a narrow second behind Vicario in the Yarra Valley Farms Plate (1200m) at Caulfield on July 13, with Moroney indicating that the young jockey went a little quick in front on the mare, but Nisbet produced a flawless ride to lead Octavia to a three and a half lengths victory in the Daniel McMillian Handicap (1200m) a fortnight ago.

Octavia will be making her debut at Group 3 level but Moroney is confident she can be competitive at her favourite track on Saturday.

“It will be a tough race, but she’s a specialist at this trip and track,” Moroney told TVN.

Octavia has not missed a placing since her debut run at Kilmore last year and has recorded two wins and three top three finishes at Caulfield.

McEvoy is searching for his first win in the Cockram Stakes, having finished second on Parables in 2011, while Moroney will be having his first runner in the race since 2010 Crown Oaks winner Brazilian Pulse finished second last in 2011.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.