Kerrin McEvoy climbed the Everest on Saturday and reached the summit with a copybook ride to deliver the Listed $300,000 Cranbourne Cup (2025m) on English import Folkswood on Sunday.
Jumping one from the outside, McEvoy was able to cross and settle fifth with cover turning out of the home straight the first time.
Grey Lion had set a steady speed to the 600m but McEvoy pressed forward and drove Folkswood alongside Grey Lion around the home turn, the pair clear of their rivals.
Folkswood ($4.40 fav) gradually asserted his authority and drew clear inside the final 100m to defeat the fast finishing Berisha ($18) by 2 3/4-lengths with Grey Lion ($31) a head away third.
The Godolphin-owned Folkswood is entered for the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate and was racing in Australia for the first time.
McEvoy told Racing Victoria said he enjoyed the perfect trail on the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Exceed And Excel
"He's a real nice horse with a high cruising speed," McEvoy said. "I wanted to be in the first three and I was able to slot in behind them and get a nice trail.
"When Guardini came around me down the back it got my horse a little bit keen and then when that horse went forward I was able to follow him and my horse was more comfortable."
Folkswood had won over 1800m at Meydan in February and was racing for the first time since finishing fifth of seven in the Group III Diomed Stakes over one mile one furlong at Epsom on June 3.
McEvoy said he was confident the Cranbourne Cup trip would not be an issue for the five-year-old.
"He made a nice sustained run from the half mile onwards and I knew he was going to cope with that from what Charlie had said and watching his replays," McEvoy said.
"The race worked out perfectly for today - Charlie's left a little bit of improvement in him coming out here so it's nice to get him off the board today."
