Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride German raider Red Cardinal in the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 7.
Ryan Moore had been pencilled in to team up with the Andreas Wohler-trained colt, but connections have decided to book another rider due to logistical issues arising from a clash with the Breeders' Cup meeting at Del Mar the previous weekend.
Moore partnered Protectionist to win the 2014 Melbourne Cup for Wohler and owners Australian Bloodstock and while they were keen to renew the link, they feel booking McEvoy may be a more sensible choice.
Australian Bloodstock's Jamie Lovett told www.racing.com: "Logistically it was just going to be too hard getting him (Ryan) out of there. Kerrin didn't have a ride lined up so it made sense.
"I'll talk to him (Kerrin) in the morning and Andreas will liaise with him as to when the best time to get out there (Werribee International Horse Centre) would be, but I'd think he would give him a spin beforehand.
"We're very happy with him and we are very comfortable with the decision not to run him at Caulfield."
Red Cardinal is 14/1 with Sky Bet who are paying non-runner no bet and six places on each-way bets.
