McEVOY THE “CHOICE” SELECTION FOR BIG DANCE

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NEWCASTLE trainer Nathan Doyle is hoping it’s “third time lucky” in Tuesday’s Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick.

The vastly experienced Kerrin McEvoy will be reunited with Doyle’s Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner Churchill’s Choice in the $3m feature.

But it hasn’t been an easy task securing a rider for the talented mare.

“Regan Bayliss has been Churchill’s Choice’s regular rider this year,” Doyle’s racing manager David Dyson said today.

“He won the Group 3 Hawkesbury Cup (1600m) on her in April, and was also on her at her next four runs, which included second placings in the Scone Cup and National Classic at Eagle Farm (both also 1600m).

“However, Regan also won the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle in September for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott on Fully Lit.

“He rides work and in races for that stable, and we understand why he chose to stick with Fully Lit in the Big Dance.

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“We made enquiries about Kerrin, but his manager wasn’t sure if he was riding at Randwick or Flemington on Tuesday.

“So we booked Alysha Collett, who had ridden Churchill’s Choice before and won on her on debut at Scone two years ago, but she was suspended at Canberra last Friday week (her suspension began today and she cannot ride again until Saturday).

“Kerrin’s manager came back to say he was available, so that was confirmed.”

McEvoy ‘s only previous ride on Churchill’s Choice was during The Championships at Randwick in April last year when she ran fourth in the Group 3 James Carr Stakes (1400m).

Churchill’s Choice has run well without placing at both runs this campaign, and has understandably has been aimed at the Big Dance, given its lucrative purse.

She is currently a $6 second favorite with TAB.com.au behind $6.6m earner and $3.50 favorite Gringotts, chasing a Big Dance hat-trick after scoring with 58.5kg in 2024 and 62kg last year.

“Obviously Gringotts is the class horse in the race, and the horse to beat,” Dyson said.

“Churchill’s Choice can hit a flat spot between the 700m and 400m, but if she can control that, she can definitely be a threat, especially with 9kg less than Gringotts.”

Doyle’s only previous Big Dance representative was another mare Overriding, who ran ninth to Gringotts in 2024 as a $61 chance.

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He continued his excellent start to the season by scoring with Better Late in the closer at Randwick yesterday.

Ridden by apprentice Braith Nock, Better Late ($11) led throughout in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) to comfortably defeat Somerton Smart ($5.50) and heavily backed $2.90 favorite Whatalegacy.

“Better Late took his record to four wins from 11 starts, and his odds were surprising given he was a $1.80 favorite last time when fourth to stablemate Formal in a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 26,” Dyson said.

“Nathan freshened him and brought him back to a more suitable 1100m, and Braith’s 1.5kg claim meant he carried 4.5kg less this time.

“Braith is definitely great value, still being able to claim 1.5kg.”

Whilst Newcastle’s major The Hunter meeting comes around on Saturday week at Broadmeadow, there isn’t a suitable race for Better Late.

“In any case, spacing his runs works well and there is an 1100m Benchmark 78 at Rosehill at the end of the month,” Dyson added.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, NOVEMBER 1, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS