Racing: Lucia Valentina pleases McEvoy

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Kerrin McEvoy is relishing the prospect of partnering the horse to beat on Saturday.

McEvoy has already won a Caulfield Cup but excitement is building for the jockey ahead of his ride on Lucia Valentina.

"I've never been into the Caulfield Cup on the back of a favourite," McEvoy said.

He won the Cup on All The Good for Godolphin in 2008 when that horse ran as one of the outsiders.

The Sydney-based McEvoy has recently joined the freelance ranks, leaving Godolphin as a retained rider. He has been one of spring's in-form jockeys heading into Saturday.

His Turnbull Stakes win on Lucia Valentina was followed by a winning treble on Caulfield Guineas Day.

"It's the same as any sportsman. You need to be winning and it definitely helps the confidence going into these big meetings," McEvoy said.

"I couldn't be happier with where I'm at. It definitely helps going into Saturday."

Lucia Valentina continued her preparation with a solo workout yesterday on the Caulfield course proper, with trainer Kris Lees' travelling foreman Mal Ollerton in the saddle.

She had a more serious piece of work on Saturday morning on the course proper with McEvoy aboard and he was suitably impressed, convinced the mare has progressed since her Turnbull win. "She looks great and she felt great."

Meanwhile, Japan's Admire Rakti looks on target for the Caulfield Cup after a solid hit-out at Werribee yesterday.

Prepared by Tomoyuki Umeda, Admire Rakti trailed stablemate Admire Inazuma in the gallop before getting on terms approaching the turn and shading him in the run home.

Admire Rakti worked over 1400m, quickening up from the 800m with experienced trackwatcher Les O'Brien clocking him to run the final 400m in 25.5s.

Track rider Kiyoshi Shikato said he was happy with the workout and more importantly happy with the horse.

He said Admire Rakti usually works on his own in Japan but is relishing working with a partner since arriving in Melbourne.

Shikato also said he got a bit of a surprise when Red Cadeaux charged past him after they had started cantering off.

"I noticed him. He is in good condition," Shikato said.

Meanwhile the trip to Caulfield last Saturday has mentally switched on fellow Japanese galloper Bande.

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi's assistant Takahide Ando said Bande had become too relaxed at Werribee.

"After Caulfield, his head is switched on for racing so we are very happy now," Ando said.

"He is ready to go to racing now."

While the Melbourne Cup is the ultimate target for Bande, Ando said both the owner and trainer were keen on winning the Caulfield Cup.

After a canter around Werribee yesterday, Bande was put through the barrier stalls and he will have his final gallop this morning.