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By Ray Hickson

Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy hopes history repeats when he rides expensive colt United States on debut in the Agency Real Estate Handicap (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy (Pic: Bradley Photos)

A year ago McEvoy partnered $1.5 million youngster Switzerland to win the same race for trainer Chris Waller and coincidentally United States, who set his owners including Coolmore back $1.75 million, jumps from the same barrier in two.

Unlike Switzerland, McEvoy hasn’t ridden United States in the lead up to his first start so has taken plenty of interest in his only barrier trial earlier this month.

“Watching his trial closely he looked to be a horse with some talent for sure,’’ McEvoy said.

“He was travelling along nice and willing behind the speed and James (McDonald) never looked to let him go. That gives you confidence.

“He has a high price tag on him and 1000m is starting off at the lower end of the trip scale for him but he’s got talent and a good barrier so they are pluses.”

United States, $3.70 with TAB on Friday, doesn’t appear to have quite the hype around him that stablemate Wodeton had going into his debut last weekend.

McEvoy feels that colt set a new benchmark for the two-year-olds this season and takes heart that Waller has used this race to launch similar colts in the past.

Aside from Switzerland, this race produced the 2021 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside.

“Chris likes to work off a set plan and it gives you good confidence knowing he’s started a good horse in this race before,’’ he said.

“The strength of our two-year-olds is quite high so you have to respect whatever is lining up but he’s a nice colt moving forward.

“I think (Wodeton) is at the top of the list of the moment, everyone else is looking to chase him I’d say.”

McEvoy combines with Waller in four races at Randwick and he’s back on Invader Zim in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) after the gelding’s luckless fifth at Wyong two weeks ago.

Ben Osmond rode him on that occasion as McEvoy was on the Gold Coast but there was enough in Invader Zim’s first-up second behind the in-form Disneck to tell McEvoy he’s in good order.

“I’ve always had the opinion that he’s not just a wet tracker,’’ McEvoy said.

“He’s come back nicely and was good first-up running second. He didn’t have a lot of luck when it mattered the other day around Wyong but he gets back to Randwick on a bigger track.

“Although he hasn’t run at 1400m it should be fine for him.”

Since McEvoy rode Unlimited in his first-up run at Canterbury the import has struck form with a Randwick win and close second at Wyong so the jockey is looking forward to reconnecting in the Complete Freight Services Handicap (2000m).

The five-year-old had to make a long run from last and was narrowly beaten by Bullets High two weeks ago.

“He wasn’t beaten far there last time at Wyong and he’s another horse that’s been with Chris for an extra prep now and looks to be going the right way,’’ he said.

“This is a benchmark 88 which he was competitive in last time. It’s a smallish field and he looks a horse to be staying well.”

Meanwhile, McEvoy is making a hit and run mission to Wagga on Sunday to ride Rach for Waller in the Inglis Xtra Bonus Super Maiden (1200m).

United States runs third in a Rosehill trial on January 7

It’s an unusual move but McEvoy said with a $100,000 bonus attached to the race it’s a good incentive and he was keen to support the filly’s owners who regularly support him.

Rach has raced twice and went to the line untested on debut at Canterbury before a close third on the Kensington track on January 15.

“It’s a good pot of money to go down for so happy to fly down and back on the day and see if we can take it out,’’ he said.

“She wasn’t beaten far last start, her first run at Canterbury was a good run in not a bad race without a lot of luck. Going off the back of her last run she goes there with a very good chance.”

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