Jockey Kerrin McEvoy has come a long way since riding his first winner on a dusty track at Ceduna in South Australia to notching number 1000 at Randwick.

His success on Brew in the 2000 Melbourne Cup catapulted McEvoy into the spotlight only weeks after he had finished his apprenticeship.

After riding the Godolphin-owned Beekeeper to third in the 2002 Melbourne Cup, McEvoy headed to Dubai and then spent several years as the No. 2 jockey behind Frankie Dettori for Godolphin in Europe.

He returned to Australia last year, keeping his association with Sheikh Mohammed as part of the Darley Australia empire under Peter Snowden in Sydney.

But it was trainer Chris Waller who shared in the history-making event yesterday as McEvoy steered former English stayer Bright Mind to victory in the AJC Convention Centre Handicap (2400m).

"It's a relief and it's on to the next 1000 now," McEvoy said. "It's good to get it done and if I couldn't do it on one of Darley's, then to win on this horse is the next best thing.

"I've won a few races on him now."

Waller, who has several European imports in his stable, said McEvoy's overseas experience paid off with Bright Mind.

"Kerrin is very good on these types of horses and seems to have the key to the English stayers," he said.

During his time riding in Europe, McEvoy had seven Group 1 winners, including Shamardal and Dubawi, both of whom graduated to become Darley stallions.

"It's been a good ride and I've been lucky to win some of the best races in the world," McEvoy said. "Shamardal won the St James's Palace at Royal Ascot and I won the Prix Jacques le Marois on Dubawi.

"But I still remember my first winner on the dirt track at Ceduna.

"It was Easter Saturday 1997. I was 16 years old and I think it was my 14th race ride and I won for trainer Butch Hebberman."

Bright Mind's win brought up a treble for Waller in consecutive races after wins by Deer Valley and Every Man's Dream.

-English-born jockey Paul Goode has had surgery in Sydney for spinal injuries sustained in a fall at Queanbeyan. He was taken to Canberra Hospital after Monday's fall before being transported to Sydney by air.

Goode also has chest injuries, including broken ribs and lung damage, but it is his spine which is causing most concern.