Kerrin McEvoy says he has never been so excited about a race in the lead-up to riding favourite Helmet in Saturday's Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.And part of the reason for his excitement is that he will become just the eighth jockey to complete Australian racing's grand slam if the colt wins.McEvoy won the 2000 Melbourne Cup aboard Brew only days after completing his apprenticeship and at 20 was the second youngest after Ray Neville, 16, who won the 1948 Cup on Rimfire.After completing his overse
Kerrin McEvoy says he has never been so excited about a race in the lead-up to riding favourite Helmet in Saturday's Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
And part of the reason for his excitement is that he will become just the eighth jockey to complete Australian racing's grand slam if the colt wins.
McEvoy won the 2000 Melbourne Cup aboard Brew only days after completing his apprenticeship and at 20 was the second youngest after Ray Neville, 16, who won the 1948 Cup on Rimfire.
After completing his overseas stint as number two rider to Frankie Dettori for the renowned Godolphin operation, McEvoy returned to Australia and won the Caulfield Cup aboard the Godolphin-owned All The Good in 2008.
The number one rider for Darley and trainer Peter Snowden won this year's Golden Slipper aboard Sepoy and needs Helmet to win the $3 million weight-for-age championship of Australasia to complete the four majors.
"It would be a fantastic thrill," McEvoy said.
"I've never been so excited and looking forward to a race as much as I am on Saturday.
"To win the top four races in Australia would be a dream come true, so let's see if we can do it."
McEvoy hasn't ridden in a Cox Plate since his seventh on Natural Blitz in 2003.
His other two rides were on three-year-olds, finishing eighth on Bel Esprit in 2002 and third on Viscount in the memorable 2001 Cox Plate behind Northerly and Sunline.
With the scratching of Descarado on Thursday, Helmet, who will jump from barrier 10, and Glass Harmonium from gate four are the two recognised leaders in the 14-horse field.
McEvoy may do what Glen Boss did on then three-year-old So You Think two years ago when he led all the way.
"We don't have to lead by any means. It just depends what happens once the barriers open and what the boys do inside me," McEvoy said.
"Obviously I've got to keep in mind that it is 2040 metres and last start (when he won the Caulfield Guineas) was a mile (1600m) so I have to ride him accordingly."
McEvoy, whose natural weight is 54kg, said he had been gradually losing weight over the past 1-1/2 weeks and was on target to ride Helmet at 49.5kg on Saturday.
The question is whether Helmet, a son of former top sprinter Exceed And Excel, can run the distance.
Exceed And Excel, by Danehill, was a dual Group One winner of the 2003 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and the 2004 Newmarket Hcp (1200m) at Flemington as a three-year-old.
He was sent out favourite in the 2003 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and led before weakening to run sixth to In Top Swing.
Our of the unraced Singspiel mare Accessories, Helmet is a half-brother to stablemate Bullbars who was runner-up to Cox Plate runner Shamrocker in this year's Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) after winning the CS Hayes Stakes (1400m), both at Flemington.
Helmet is $3.30 favourite with TAB Sportsbet.
Jimmy Choux, unbeaten in three 2000m starts, is the second pick at $4.40 with Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes winner Rekindled Interest at $6.50, Epsom Handicap winner Secret Admirer at $11, Stocks Stakes winner King's Rose at $12 and Glass Harmonium at $13.