International jockey Kerrin McEvoy proved he had re-adjusted to Australian racing with a brilliant winning treble at Rosehill.
The hoop's great day in the saddle followed a Boxing Day winning double at Randwick courtesy of Serenissima and Referees, both for Darley Australia's head trainer Peter Snowden.
McEvoy landed the treble and a race-to-race double on the Adam Spitzer-trained Smart Punch after wins on Chiamaka for Paul Perry and Altavilla for Snowden.
And it was Snowden who was happiest to see McEvoy enjoying a winning run.
"He's a very hard worker and it was always going to take a little while for him to adjust to Australian racing but we're starting to form a good combination," Snowden said.
"He's had his critics but Kerrin is riding so well at the moment and nobody deserves the success more than he does."
Multiple suspensions have interrupted McEvoy's return to Australia from the UK in August to be the number one rider for Sheikh Mohammed's Darley Australia and he has not only come under fire from stewards but from punters and the media alike.
McEvoy, who won this year's Caulfield Cup on All The Good for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation, took the treble in his stride and said it was crucial for him to continue working hard.
"Everything's going well at the moment but I'll just be keeping my head down and putting in the hours," McEvoy said.
"It was always going to take a bit of time to re-adjust but I'm feeling very good about my riding."
Spitzer praised McEvoy for his patient ride on Smart Punch who was held up until the last 100 metres in the Golden Slipper On Sale Handicap (1300m) before bursting through to defeat Triple Down by a short head.
"Kerrin was brilliant, he never panicked at any stage and when the gap came he pounced, he's a top rider," Spitzer said.
Smart colt Chiamaka, who started at $4.40, benefited from a perfectly rated front-running ride by McEvoy to easily account for $2.60 favourite Tinjirarni in the Caravan And Camping Show April 18-25 Handicap (1100m).
McEvoy took advantage of barrier one, driving Chiamaka to the lead.
And on straightening, Tinjirarni was travelling fourth and was looming as a danger but Chiamaka kicked in the final 200 metres and quickly put paid to his rivals, going on to defeat the favourite by 1-1/4 lengths.
Stable representative Nathan Perry said he expected Chiamaka to run a bold race second-up this preparation following his fifth to Putheron at Gosford on December 11 over 1100 metres.
"His work at home has been very good leading into this and we were quietly confident and Kerrin gave him every chance with a perfect ride," Perry said.
