Kerrin Mcevoy has delivered octogenarian trainer Les Bridge a belated birthday present, and made amends for some bad advice in the process, with a victory aboard Aye Aye Captain at Rosehill.
McEvoy wasn’t Bridge’s favourite person after he convinced the Randwick horseman to run Aye Aye Captain on a heavy track last start when she finished a disappointing fifth as favourite.
But back on better ground on Saturday, the $3.30 chance got the job done with a neck win over Ticklebelly ($5) in the Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap (1400m).
“I must admit, he wasn’t too happy with me the other day when I convinced him to run on the heavy track,” McEvoy said.
“I could tell when I rang him after the races he was a bit flat on me.
“Anyway, he’s waited for today, freshened her up, and her work during the week was good.
“She settled better for me today, and the better ground suited her.”
A belated birthday present for Les Bridge as Aye Aye Captain runs down Ticklebelly 🫡@kpmcevoy pic.twitter.com/aPxIqGHH29
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 1, 2026
McEvoy and Bridge have had a successful association for almost 25 years, one that began with Miss Zoe’s win in the 2002 Emancipation Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
It reached its crescendo when they combined to win the 2020 The Everest (1200m) with Classique Legend, with plenty of smaller victories along the way – and counting.
“My first winner (for Bridge) was a good mare of his way back in the early 2000s, Miss Zoe. This was when I was just out of my apprenticeship,” McEvoy said.
“Then when I moved to Sydney, I didn’t ride a lot for Les early on. Carmel (Size) linked me up when she knew she had a smart one in Classique Legend, and I’ve been doing a bit ever since with Les.”
Enviable started a $2.50 favourite in the race but weakened to finish last after racing at the flanks of the leader.
Jockey James Mcdonald told stewards she travelled well in the run but didn’t respond when placed under pressure, with a subsequent veterinary examination expected to shed further light on her below par showing.
