McEvoy Lands Imperial Mount

Kerrin McEvoy is set to take the ride aboard Imperial Stride in next month's Melbourne Cup.

The five-year-old landed a high-profile four-timer when trained by Sir Michael Stoute last season and made a winning reappearance in a Listed race at Goodwood on his first start for Godolphin last month.

McEvoy took the ride on that occasion and the decision of the team to keep that partnership intact means Frankie Dettori is available to ride Jamie Osborne's Geordieland in the famous Australian race.

Explaining riding arrangements, Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford said: 'We talked about it with Frankie and on balance felt it was right for Kerrin to be riding for us in Australia, and Frankie completely understood.

'Kerrin has been working for us for several years, he's an Australian with local knowledge and was always going to be in Melbourne through the spring carnival.'

Crisford also confirmed that Imperial Stride is likely to be in action in the BMW Caulfield Cup on October 21 prior to launching his assault on the Flemington feature on November 7.

'It was important we made a decision about who would ride in Australia before Imperial Stride ran at Goodwood, as we needed that man to ride him in his work before Goodwood. Crucially, Kerrin will also be riding Imperial Stride in his fast work at Sandown prior to the Caulfield Cup,' he told the Racing Post.

(C) PA Sport