Kourkam takes home Gold Cup

A HIT and run mission on the Albury Gold Cup by jockey Kerrin McEvoy paid the ultimate dividend when Kourkam scored a decisive win in the $170,000 feature yesterday.

McEvoy flew into Albury on the morning of the race for two rides, including Kourkam, for his uncle, Tony McEvoy.

The 2000 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey left shortly

after the presentation alongside fellow hoop Tim Clark to catch a chartered flight back to Melbourne to ride at last night’s meeting at Moonee Valley.

Kourkam ($3.80) settled well back in the field early and was hooked out wide on the home turn to set after race favourite Self Sense ($3), who shot out to a three-length lead on straightening.

The French import proved too strong down the home straight to defeat Verdant ($6) by ½-length, with Self Sense battling on well for third.

The victory handed both McEvoys victory in the Border’s premier race at their first attempt.

Kerrin McEvoy said the victory didn’t come without some anxious moments after Kourkam jumped tardily.

“I was following World Wide from the 600 metres but the horse in front of him was going nowhere,” he said.

“He surprised me how quickly he got to them 400 metres out.

“It was a good effort by the horse because he had to really tough it out over the concluding stages.”

Kourkam started his career in France and arrived at Tony McEvoy’s stables early last year as a maiden.

The four-year-old won his Australian debut in a maiden at Hawkesbury and has quickly built an impressive record with five wins from 13 starts.

Yesterday’s $102,000 winning cheque sent his career earnings soaring past the $250,000 mark.

Tony McEvoy said the horse will likely head to Sydney before a possible trip to Brisbane for races such as the group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) and the group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m).

“Obviously he is going to meet a better class of horse up there,” Kerrin said.

“But he is a little horse that hasn’t had that many starts in Australia and has been in the money plenty of times.

“We are yet to see the best of him.”

 

Source: http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/2975844/170k-prize-pop-the-kourks-and-then-hes-gone/?cs=53