Star Kiwi apprentice James McDonald has been confirmed as the rider of San Domenico Stakes winner Foxwedge in next month’s $1 million Golden Rose.
Trainer John O’Shea needed to find a new rider for the talented colt after regular hoop Nash Rawiller copped a 12-meeting careless riding suspension at Randwick on Wednesday, ruling him out of the Golden Rose (1400m) on September 10.
“James McDonald will ride him in the Golden Rose,” O’Shea said.
McDonald has been lured to ride in Sydney by O’Shea a number of times in recent weeks including at Saturday’s Warwick Farm meeting where the 19-year-old will partner the O’Shea-trained Golden Slipper placegetter Elite Falls in the Silver Shadow Stakes.
McDonald broke the New Zealand record for most winners in a season in 2010/11.
He has commitments in New Zealand on Saturday week so won’t be in the saddle for Foxwedge’s final Golden Rose lead-up in the Group Three Run To The Rose (1200m).
When McDonald was in Sydney last Tuesday week, the apprentice put Foxwedge through his paces in a pleasing workout at Randwick ahead of the colt’s first-up win in the Group Three San Domenico Stakes (1100m).
Foxwedge is on the fourth line of Golden Rose betting at $9 behind Smart Missile ($4), Helmet ($5.50) and Aeronautical ($8).
AAP TURF
