Kerrin McEvoy riding Probabeel to victory in the Epsom (Image: Bradley Photos)
Kerrin McEvoy didn't have to be at The Valley on Tuesday to see just how well Probabeel looked.
While he was holed up in quarantine ahead of Saturday's Cox Plate, his brother-in-law Patrick Payne took her for a spin around The Valley.
McEvoy received a glowing review, but he expected that anyway.
"She is in career-best form," McEvoy said of the $9 chance with Sportsbet.
"I've had a bit to do with her during her time in Sydney. She's a lovely, big, strong mare, which I am sure everyone saw at The Valley.
"She's in great order and she has got dapples on her coat, which is a plus. She goes to the biggest test of her career in the Cox Plate, but I am pretty thrilled to be on her back."
Drawn in barrier two, McEvoy is confident he can get Probabeel into a perfect position. He is just hoping it doesn't get too wet.
"(Soft) 5 or 6 is fine," he said.
"The Valley doesn't get too deep, it drains well. It's only got to stop for a couple of hours and it does dry out and soaks up a bit. I am confident she can handle a bit of cut in the ground.
"You'd like to think, track racing fair, no rain, it (the barrier) should be ideal. It's just a matter of where they are going to and what not if there's some rain around.
"Two means she can bob up and lob into a spot somewhere.
"If she begins well, like we did in the Epsom, then we can be somewhere in the first four or five early."