McEvoy Out To Make Royal Impression

Five years after Kerrin McEvoy delivered Chris Waller his first major in Melbourne, the jockey is hoping to rekindle the pair's feature-race success.

McEvoy won the 2009 Manikato Stakes on Danleigh to give Waller a breakthrough Group One win in Victoria.

On Saturday they will combine with Doncaster Mile runner-up Royal Descent in the Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

It's a one-off booking but McEvoy is keen to make an impression.

"I haven't booked anything further but I'd like to think I will ride her well and be in the mix for some of Chris's big-name horses in the spring," McEvoy said.

"He's got an abundance of talent in his stable."

McEvoy is the No.1 rider for Godolphin and they get first call on his services.

But with Sheikh Mohammed's new trainer John O'Shea also planning to use James McDonald for rides, McEvoy could have increased opportunities with outside stables.

The jockey has been riding trackwork at Randwick and Rosehill and has five rides for other trainers on Saturday, headed by Royal Descent.

Second in the Toy Show Quality at the corresponding meeting 12 months ago, Royal Descent has a good fresh record and relishes wet ground.

She won the 2013 Australian Oaks by 10 lengths on a heavy track.

"I haven't ridden her before but she's a quality filly and I'm looking forward to getting on her back," McEvoy said.

"She looks to be moving well in her trials."

Boban is an early Warwick Stakes scratching while favourite Messene is in doubt as Hawkes Racing isn't keen to run him first-up on an extremely wet track.

Randwick was heavy on Thursday and if there is no improvement it could also cost McEvoy one of his best mounts in Silver Shadow Stakes favourite Earthquake.

Godolphin will decide on race morning whether the filly returns for the first time since Mossfun inflicted her only defeat on a heavy track in the Golden Slipper.

The best two-year-olds don't always return to dominant next season, but McEvoy says Earthquake has improved physically and has been enthusiastic and sharp in her work.

"We haven't seen many Slipper runners yet but everything points to Earthquake being back in really nice order," he said.

McEvoy's remaining rides include Meursault in the Up And Coming Stakes and Dear Demi in the Toy Show Quality.