(re)Acclimatise
October 1st 2008 09:02
Kerrin McEvoy has not had the fairytale return to Australia that might well have been anticipated when he took over the position as number one rider for Darley Australia.
(photo: John Donegan The Age)
Leaving England and the high profile position as number two stable rider for Godolphin (behind Frankie Dettori) would have required much deliberation and angst. There was likely to be no wrong or right decision - should I go or should I stay - with number two in England matching very well with number one position at home. And most likely it was the impending birth of his first child with wife Cathy (Payne) that was the most important factor in the move.
But it appears that Kerrin McEvoy has not (yet) totally left England behind. He has brought with him the rules and tempo of English racing and has struggled for form in the two months since his return. His return of 6 winners from 40 rides is not so terrible on face value - it is just that so often he is riding the favourite horse and being beaten when expected to win.
Chief steward in Sydney, Ray Murrihy, has issued Kerrin McEvoy with a reprimand over his riding tactics and given him a stern warning to ‘lift his game’ after finding fault with a particularly lacklustre ride in a maiden race at Randwick.
Murrihy explained to McEvoy that he is being completely out-ridden by the other jockeys who are taking advantage of his English mindset. When McEvoy rides patiently early to settle a horse before improving he find that the other jockeys have ridden for positions first. McEvoy has a horse settled - but more often than not three deep and not well placed. Murrihy believes (and the string of ordinary results would testify) that McEvoy is paying too much heed to the niceties of horsemanship (allowing the horse to settle and be comfortable) instead of the tactical ruthlessness of riding for a position (first) and then worrying about settling the horse second. Not so much a matter of skill as a matter of emphasis.
I can’t recall stewards ever singling out a top flight jockey for such admonishment and criticism. Along with Murrihy senior stipendiary steward Steve Railton has made some stinging criticisms:
"We expect you to ride with more judgement. You've been spoken to a few times about your tactics now. For a rider of your ability, we expect you to adapt by now." - Steve Railton.
After returning to Australia Kerrin McEvoy has struggled to ride winners and has been sidelined with a series of suspensions. He admits that he is struggling to adapt to Australian conditions after riding for so long in Europe.
“Even though I'm Australian it's taking me a while to adjust back to the Australian style of racing.” - Kerrin McEvoy.
It will almost be a relief for McEvoy to return now to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival. After all It was his consistent and capable riding in Melbourne that first won him the position with Godolphin in England. This weekend he will ride El Cambio and Forensics for Peter Snowden, and also the Lee Freedman trained Romneya.
It may well be that a return to Melbourne will prove the change and impetus needed for Kerrin McEvoy to return to his best.
Kerrin McEvoy back in Melbourne
(photo: John Donegan The Age)
Leaving England and the high profile position as number two stable rider for Godolphin (behind Frankie Dettori) would have required much deliberation and angst. There was likely to be no wrong or right decision - should I go or should I stay - with number two in England matching very well with number one position at home. And most likely it was the impending birth of his first child with wife Cathy (Payne) that was the most important factor in the move.
But it appears that Kerrin McEvoy has not (yet) totally left England behind. He has brought with him the rules and tempo of English racing and has struggled for form in the two months since his return. His return of 6 winners from 40 rides is not so terrible on face value - it is just that so often he is riding the favourite horse and being beaten when expected to win.
Chief steward in Sydney, Ray Murrihy, has issued Kerrin McEvoy with a reprimand over his riding tactics and given him a stern warning to ‘lift his game’ after finding fault with a particularly lacklustre ride in a maiden race at Randwick.
Murrihy explained to McEvoy that he is being completely out-ridden by the other jockeys who are taking advantage of his English mindset. When McEvoy rides patiently early to settle a horse before improving he find that the other jockeys have ridden for positions first. McEvoy has a horse settled - but more often than not three deep and not well placed. Murrihy believes (and the string of ordinary results would testify) that McEvoy is paying too much heed to the niceties of horsemanship (allowing the horse to settle and be comfortable) instead of the tactical ruthlessness of riding for a position (first) and then worrying about settling the horse second. Not so much a matter of skill as a matter of emphasis.
I can’t recall stewards ever singling out a top flight jockey for such admonishment and criticism. Along with Murrihy senior stipendiary steward Steve Railton has made some stinging criticisms:
"We expect you to ride with more judgement. You've been spoken to a few times about your tactics now. For a rider of your ability, we expect you to adapt by now." - Steve Railton.
After returning to Australia Kerrin McEvoy has struggled to ride winners and has been sidelined with a series of suspensions. He admits that he is struggling to adapt to Australian conditions after riding for so long in Europe.
“Even though I'm Australian it's taking me a while to adjust back to the Australian style of racing.” - Kerrin McEvoy.
It will almost be a relief for McEvoy to return now to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival. After all It was his consistent and capable riding in Melbourne that first won him the position with Godolphin in England. This weekend he will ride El Cambio and Forensics for Peter Snowden, and also the Lee Freedman trained Romneya.
It may well be that a return to Melbourne will prove the change and impetus needed for Kerrin McEvoy to return to his best.
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