3 minute read

Kerrin McEvoy can take a lot of credit for the victory if Grebeni wins on Saturday

Words of advice from star jockey Kerrin Mcevoy were ringing in the ears of Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou when deciding what to do next with Grebeni, which is why the in-form gelding runs at Randwick this Saturday.

The four-year-old will be chasing back-to-back wins, following victory over 1600 metres at Randwick on December 16, when he contests the $160,000 Maroubra Mile.

The Rosehill training team toyed with the idea of taking Grebeni to Queensland and stepping him straight up in trip but McEvoy, who has been engaged for Saturday, suggested another run at 1600m.

"We did have the option to go up to Queensland over 1800 but Kerrin was adamant that we stick to 1600 for now," Alexiou said.

"He said later on we can worry about going further, but he was pretty happy to keep him here in Sydney and keep him to the mile."

Grebeni last start win made it two wins from his past three outings, having won the $200,000 Goulburn Cup (1400m) prior to his midfield effort in the Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m).

The son of Ocean Park has already demonstrated his ability beyond a mile, having won back-to-back races at 1800m in June, which are among six career wins.

He has drawn barrier four in the field of nine on Saturday, which presents McEvoy with the opportunity to get the type of runs Alexiou thinks Grebeni thrives off.

"He's a much better horse when he can suck up and use his turn of foot properly," he said.

Grebeni is one of two Randwick favourites for Ryan and Alexiou, who also have Rich Enuff four-year-old Union Army rising slightly in trip after a first-up third placing over 1100m at Randwick on December 16.

"He ran really well when third the other day, he was just run off his feet early and the step up to 1200 metres will help him," Alexiou said.

Union Army will be ridden by Jason Collett in the benchmark 78 event that rounds out the card, with the pair to jump from barrier nine in the field of 11.