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Wide draw reaction: leave it to Cup expert McEvoy

J A McGrath

 Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby says he will leave the tactics for Cross Counter in Tuesday’s G1 Melbourne Cup to jockey Kerrin McEvoy.

 Expressing disappointment at the Teofilo gelding drawing 19 in the 24-runner field, Appleby said: “It’s not ideal being so wide with so many runners, but there is nothing we can do about it.

 “We are fortunate in having one of the best and most experienced Cup jockeys in Kerrin, and we will be calling on all that experience on Tuesday. I will leave it in his hands,” he said.

 McEvoy, a dual Melbourne Cup winning rider, landed Australia’s famous ‘two-miler’ on Brew (2000) and Almandin (2016), and he is one of the few top bracket jockeys, who can get down to 51kg (8st), Cross Counter’s weight.

 When Brew won the Cup, he started from barrier 23, so the jockey knows what is required.

 Cross Counter, who is a European three-year-old but officially deemed a four-year-old in Australia, comes to the Melbourne Cup with only seven starts under his belt.

 Appleby does not see this as an issue. “It is not a worry. He is very mature mentally for his age, and I believe he will cope very well,” he said.

 Godolphin’s two other Cup contenders have drawn attractively; Avilius will start from 11, while Caulfield Cup winner Best Solution is in 6.

 Despite the distance of the Melbourne Cup, the draw is considered important because a wide passage throughout can cost a horse many lengths at Flemington.