Champion Hong Kong-based jockey Douglas Whyte is on standby to ride Alpine Eagle in Saturday’s Australian Guineas.

Tony McEvoy confirmed on Tuesday that Whyte, a 13-time champion jockey in Hong Kong, would ride the Autumn Classic winner if he backs up in $500,000 Australian Guineas.

McEvoy said he is about “99-percent” sure of running Alpine Eagle, who came through his spectacular win at Caulfield last Saturday.

“All the signs are pretty good at the moment,” McEvoy said.

“I wouldn’t normally do it, but the horse is telling me he can.”

Alpine Eagle, a winner of four of his five starts, strode around Flemington on Tuesday and will do something similar Wednesday before McEvoy makes a final call on a start.

News that Alpine Eagle is now a likely runner has seen sportsbet.com.au tighten him from $9 to $6 second favourite for the Guineas in its market, which has Kermadec the $4 favourite.