Thought i'd post this here.......
Kerrin McEvoy
by Racing Post staff
Age 26
Marital status Engaged to Cathy Payne. We're going back to Melbourne to marry in January
Licensed since Australia March 1997, and England 2004
Retainer Godolphin
Lives Newmarket/Australia/Dubai
Drives Audi A6
Agent Hugh Taylor
What's your perfect night in, and your perfect night out? At the moment, Setanta Sports are showing the Aussie Rules Football on TV. I love a good home-cooked meal made by Cathy and then to sit down to a recording of the AFL. My favourite night out is back in Melbourne at Moonee Ponds, near Moonee Valley racecourse. There's a great restaurant called Jack's Satay and it's a regular haunt for me and my mates.
You've picked up a two-day suspension – what are you going to do to entertain yourself? Last time I had a three-day suspension Cathy and I went off to Venice, which was great. To get away in two days is cutting it a bit fine, but I generally try to do something that allows me to switch off.
What's your favourite holiday destination? Streaky Bay, of course! Otherwise, I love going to Mauritius.
Who'd be your ideal three companions for the long drive to Musselburgh? I'd take Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Alba, simply because I really admire them as actresses. I'd also take Jack Johnson, as long as he brings his guitar, but he'd get thrown out in a lay-by if the girls were giving him too much attention.
What CDs would you keep in the glove compartment for when the conversation dries up? Hopefully we wouldn't need too many CDs with Jack and his guitar, but other than him I enjoy listening to The Travelling Wilburys. If I listen to English radio, Kiss gets me in a good mood before I arrive at the races.
Who are your biggest heroes – in and out of racing? My grandfather – Pop – is my biggest hero. He was a jockey and a trainer. He taught me everything I know and is the one who got me started. Outside racing, I admire Steve Waugh, the cricketer. He was an excellent captain and a great competitor who had an impressive attitude to sport and life in general. I am halfway through reading his autobiography at the moment.
What things excite you – and what do you find a turn-off? Atthe end of a long season I am always excited to fly home to Australia. A turn-off is spending long hours in traffic.
What's the funniest thing that ever happened to you in the course of your work? We were riding at Ballarat racetrack back home in Victoria. The mile start is down in a dip and slightly out of sight. We were a small field coming over the rise when suddenly we saw one of the guys who works at the course hammering a rail into the fence. We all started yelling at him as we approached, and he was so scared he got out of the way as quickly as possible. As we whizzed past I'll never forget the look of terror on his face. It wasn't that funny for him but we laugh about it now.
If you could change one thing in racing, what wouldit be? I think meetings on either a Sunday or a Monday should be confined to lowly rated horses and apprentice jockeys, the lads who only get about 100 rides a season. That way the top jocks would get a bit of a break and the others would get a chance to improve. It's a pretty full-on season as it is.
If you hadn't been a jockey, what would you like to have done? I don't really know, as from an early age I was always set on being a jockey. I'd definitely have stayed at school and finished my studies, but I'd have liked to have gone into something in sport. I'm not saying I'd have been any good, but maybe I'd have been a golfer.
What's the daftest question you've ever been asked by a journalist?
Just before the Melbourne Cup one year a journalist asked me where in New Zealand I was from. I don't know where he came from, but it didn't take long for me to put him right.
What are the best and worst rides you have ever given a horse? The best ride was on Brew in my first Melbourne Cup in 2000. We were drawn 24 of 24, right on the outside, and it's a race where you really need to be tucked in and have some cover. There's also a lot of pressure. We jumped out well and I got across to sit one off the rail. The horse relaxed nicely, I rode well and we got up to win. The worst ride this season was in the Stewards' Cup on Balthazaar's Gift. We got shut in and I'd have needed a can-opener to get out again. But as a jockey you only ever remember the good rides!
What's the biggest regret of your career? If I had one it would be that I went to Adelaide to ride having only spent a short season with Pop. I should have made a bit more effort to ride for him, as I feel I owe him so much. He's dead now, and I sometimes wish I could have given more back.
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On a side note...... Jessica Alba, YES PLEASE
