At the start of the year, champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy held all three of the prestigious trophies.

And while Finche suffered from a slowly-run two miles at Flemington and Redzel's rivals finally caught up to him in the $14 million Everest, McEvoy can again become the King of Kembla on Saturday, this time in the inaugural $1 million The Gong.

McEvoy had won back-to-back Kembla Grange Classics, with Chris Waller's Dawn Wall in 2017 and again with John Sargent's Luvaluva last year.

James McDonald snatched the title in March on the Godolphin blue army's Pohutukawa, but the Classic has since been usurped by the new richest mile race away from a metropolitan track.

"I've been lucky enough to win a couple there, I enjoy riding at Kembla," McEvoy said.

Read more: Your runner-by-runner guide to the $1m The Gong at Kembla Grange

"With the big straight, you usually get your chance to win. I didn't get win a major this year, though we were around the mark, it's still been a great carnival and The Gong is a great initiative. Hopefully I can have some success down there (Saturday)."

McEvoy will be legged aboard leading contender El Dorado Dreaming for Newcastle trainer Kris Lees at the Illawarra Turf Club, hoping to find a comfortable run midfield in the 16-horse field.

Interestingly, it could be Luvaluva who McEvoy could be fighting it out with, after the Classic winner drew next to El Dorado Dreaming in barriers five and six.

From a wide draw, Luvaluva (fifth) chased El Dorado Dreaming (third) home in the Group 3 Hot Danish at Rosehill on November 9.

Read more: Noble Boy can handle the heat in $1 million The Gong mile at Kembla Grange

And while El Dorado Dreaming is yet to step up to the mile, McEvoy was confident she showed every indication of handling the occasion on Saturday.

"I've only ridden her once before in a trial, but I'm really happy I've picked up the ride," he said.

"After reviewing the race, it was a great run, she finished off really well."

Having won the 2018 Melbourne Cup on Cross Counter, McEvoy said two-time Everest winner Redzel - part-owned by Wollongong's Peter Piras - would always hold a special place for him.

"He's definitely one of my favourites, it's been great just to be a part of what he's been able to achieve," he said.

McEvoy has eight rides on the nine-race card including two for the Chris Waller stable, as well as two for David Pfeiffer.

Read more: Waller hopes for response in $1 million The Gong

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