McEvoy doesn’t need second invitation to chase fourth win in $2 million race

5 hours ago 3

By Craig Kerry

October 23, 2025 — 6.00pm

Kerrin McEvoy will thank fellow jockey Jason Collett if Monte Supreme can extend his amazing record in the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) on Saturday at Randwick.

McEvoy won the first three editions of the mares race, which was first held in 2021. He built strong associations with the Brad Widdup-trained Icebath then John O’Shea’s Promise Of Success to claim the first two runnings, before picking up the ride on Chris Waller-prepared winner Espiona in 2023.

Kerrin McEvoy salutes after winning the inaugural Invitation on Icebath.

His run ended last year when Tyler Schiller guided Belclare to victory for trainer Bjorn Baker. The Warwick Farm stable has two chances this year and McEvoy has snared the ride on in-form Monte Supreme after Collett jumped off to ride top seed and Doncaster Mile champion Stefi Magnetica.

Monte Supreme won her first three starts for Baker this preparation, after coming from Robert and Luke Price, then came from well back to go down in a photo to Gangsta Granny in the group 3 Nivison (1200m) last start. She was $9.50 (Sportsbet) to go one better in what was another step up in class.

“A nice pick-up,” McEvoy said. “Jason gave me the heads-up that could be the case after he rode Monte Supreme last time, so it worked out well for me there. It’s building to be a nice day for me, and a nice race, so hopefully I can keep it rolling.

“I know Jason has got a good opinion of her, as has Bjorn. Obviously up in grade but only went down narrowly last start. She came from a mile back and who’s to say that she won’t enjoy going back out to 1400? She’s a chance to run really well.”

Chris Waller has a string of chances at Randwick on Saturday.

McEvoy links with Waller in five races on the program, including $1.4 million Coolmore-owned colt Defensemen ($2.45) in the Kirkham Plate. He was favourite after an impressive trial win.

“I haven’t sat on him, but I think the stable have a fair opinion of him,” McEvoy said. “A Wootton Bassett colt and we know what Chris’s horses can do from a trial to a race, so the fact that he’s gone out and performed well in a trial at Rosehill only 10 days ago says that he’s got something to offer.”

McEvoy also rides Skyglider ($7), another Waller hope from gate two, in the listed Brian Crowley Stakes after a victory on debut over subsequent Ming Dynasty Quality winner Sixties.

“He had a pretty soft lead that day, but I like the way he did it and that form has been franked pretty well,” he said. “I think Chris has been patient with him. He has a little break in between his trials and it looks a nice race for him to start off this campaign.”

He pilots Officiate ($27) for Waller in the group 1 Spring Champion Stakes.

“I didn’t ride him the other morning, but I worked with him and his work was in the style of a horse that has travelled back up from Melbourne in good order,” he said.

“He’s run third to a horse called Options down there at Flemington, and he’s probably open to improvement going out to 2000, so he might just reach a new PB there.”

Team Kearney reckon Sheeza Diva has makings of a Champion

Hawkesbury-based husband-and-wife training team Mitch and Desiree Kearney have been waiting five years for another horse good enough to have a shot at a group 1.

And when Sheeza Diva came back a calmer galloper this preparation, they both recognised the opportunity.

On Saturday, the Kearneys, who have a small team of 16 horses in work, saddle up Sheeza Diva in the $2 million Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, and are “quietly confident” the $35 (Sportsbet) chance can finish at the top end of the prizemoney.

A $15,000 yearling buy, Sheeza Diva was strong to the line to finish two and a half lengths behind Spring Champion favourite Shangri La Boy in fourth in the group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) last start. That came after a super maiden win at home and a third at Kembla Grange over 1400m sparked hopes of a group 1 run. Rachel King rides the Pierro filly from gate nine.

“After she ran third at Kembla, we were just having a look around and Des and I both said it at virtually the same time – ‘We may as well just have a crack at the Gloaming’,” Mitch said.

“They are only three once, so we’ll have a crack at that. Then when she ran so good the other day, this was just the next progression. Once she saw a bit of daylight that last furlong, she attacked the line pretty good. I think she’s crying out for the 2000.

“We were going to nominate for the Vase at Moonee Valley, but we got talked out of that by Paul Joice, Rachel’s manager, saying it might be a bit daunting first time going the other way at the Valley.”

The Kearneys’ only other group 1 runner was Mandalong Beyond, which finished last as a 200-1 shot in the 2020 Champagne Stakes at Randwick. This time the partnership, which started in 2018, are confident of a competitive showing after Sheeza Diva returned from a winless two-year-old campaign as a staying prospect.

“If she runs well and comes through it well, she’ll head to the Oaks in Melbourne,” Mitch said. “She was a bit of a temperamental filly early on and her attitude just wouldn’t let her stay, but this time she’s a lot more settled and relaxed, and she races that way, too.

“She always showed us a bit, but it’s just been maturity, letting her grow up a bit.”