Kerrin McEvoy was happy to finally get the monkey off his back with an overdue victory aboard New Zealander Probabeel in the Group Three Bill Ritchie Handicap at Randwick.
McEvoy had ridden the mare five times for five seconds and that record was on his mind heading into Saturday.
“I was intent to win on her today. I’ve had five seconds on her so it’s nice to get it done before the big one being the Epsom,” McEvoy said.
“Out in trip she mapped as though she’d get a nice run and I just made sure she jumped.”
Ridden positively by McEvoy, Probabeel ($2.45 fav) was positioned in the slipstream of the leaders and produced her customary turn of foot to comfortably claim the 1400m race.
Cuba ($12) fought on well after leading to finish 1-1/4 lengths away second with Brandenburg ($6) a sound third another length away.
The Bill Ritchie is a proven Epsom lead-up with Kolding the most recent horse to claim the double 12 months ago.