Jockey Kerrin McEvoy will retain the rides on the Peter Snowden trained Sepoy and Helmet when they line up in Dubai during their World Cup campaigns.
McEvoy said that Darley supremo Sheikh Mohammed had advised him that he would be required to ride Sepoy in the in the $US2 million Golden Shaheen (1200m) at Meydan while Helmet’s target is the $US1 million UAE Derby (1800m).
“I’m very excited to report that I’ve been chosen by Sheikh Mohammed to ride both Helmet and Sepoy on World Cup Night at Meydan,” McEvoy said.
The number one rider for the Darley operation in Australia, McEvoy has been waiting for word if he was to partner the Darley’s two top line three year olds in Dubai or if Sheikh Mohammed was going to opt for his number UK jockey Frankie Dettori.
McEvoy has a long association with Sheikh Mohammed since he was rated number two rider behind Dettori in the UK before returning to Australia to take up the number one job when Snowden was given the reins of Darley’s Australian operations.
Snowden had been told earlier that he would be retained as the trainer of Sepoy and Helmet for their campaign in Dubai and now with the confirmation that McEvoy is to take up the rides, the team will remain together in Meydan.
But Snowden has already been advised that Sepoy and Helmet will be transferred to Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin stable in the UK after the World Cup.
Sepoy and Helmet will both have their first serious hitout this campaign when they line up in a Cranbourne barrier trial tomorrow night with McEvoy to partner.
The Golden Slipper winner is set to resume in the Group 1 $400,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 25 while Helmet, the 2011 Caulfield Guineas winner will step out at Flemington on February 18 followed by the Group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) on March 3.
