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By Ray Hickson

Under normal circumstances Kerrin McEvoy’s attempt to keep his perfect record in The Invitation intact would be the focus at Randwick on Saturday but the champion jockey can’t help but be excited about Arctic Glamour.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The filly, from the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou stable, struck McEvoy as an emerging talent when beaten at her second race start and since then the only way has been up.

She jumped from a maiden win first-up at Rosehill to another easy victory in the Listed Reginald Allen over 1400m two weeks ago and now has the Group 2 $1 million Cincotta Chemist Callander-Presnell (1600m) in her sights.

“I liked her at Warwick Farm when I rode her, I remember saying to Gerald she could be a filly that wins a good race as a three-year-old,’’ McEvoy said.

“She’s definitely come back a lot better, she’s strengthened and got herself in better shape physically for what lies ahead.

“It’s not surprising she’s now featuring in good races.”

Arctic Glamour, $2.10 with TAB on Thursday, did everything right from an awkward draw in the Reginald Allen to land midfield and once McEvoy asked her to go in the straight she surged like a horse who will have no trouble with an extra 200m.

A Group 1 tilt in the Thousand Guineas is the likely next target if that box is ticked.

“She began better and that enabled me to get a good trailing spot,’’ he said.

“It was pleasing to see her settle once the pace backed off and then pick up, build through her gears and be really strong the last furlong and a half.

“She has to tick the mile box but that should be a formality with the feel she’s given me.”

McEvoy said barrier one will be a plus for Arctic Glamour so long as she gets the first part of the race right again.

“She showed a bit of zip from the stalls the other day,’’ he said.

“I’ll have a good look at the race before we get to the track on Saturday and nut out a plan but it enables her to get a nice passage for the first half and I’m sure she will be full of running when I need her.

“I saw her under saddle on Tuesday morning, she looked fantastic, I was trotting back on one and I’m looking forward to riding her.”

Classy mare Espiona is McEvoy’s ride in the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) as he eyes a threepeat in the fillies and mares feature.

He won the inaugural edition on Icebath for Brad Widdup then staged an upset last year on Promise Of Success and has come up with the early favourite in 2023.

Espiona was a runaway winner of the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) and that earned her a slot in the TAB Everest where she wasn’t disgraced finishing 2-3/4 lengths from Think About It.

“She had a bit of a checkered passage up the running in the Everest against the nation’s best sprinters,’’ he said.

“I think 1400m is a nice distance for her and back to mares grade I can see her being in the finish.

“She has got a good turn of foot. She’s been known to do a couple of things wrong here and there but she’s well into her preparation and I’m sure that’s helping her racing manners.”

Arctic Glamour wins at Randwick on October 14

One race McEvoy is yet to put on the CV is the Group 1 $2 million Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and he gives Cap Ferrat a chance on the back of his last start performance.

The colt finished third behind Raf Attack and Tom Kitten in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m).

“He worked really well on Tuesday morning, he was in good form and I think the extra furlong will suit,’’ he said.

“Obviously Tom Kitten was unlucky the other day but I think this fellow will improve up to 2000m.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting