Tommy Berry has been given the nod for the prized ride on Manawanui in the Group One Randwick Guineas after Glyn Schofield failed to get enough meetings shaved off a careless riding suspension on appeal.
Schofield was suspended for nine meetings for interference over the final 50m of the Hobartville Stakes last Saturday when riding Manawanui.
Manawanui was first past the post in the Hobartville but lost the race to Wild And Proud on protest.
Schofield’s suspension was reduced to seven meetings on appeal on Friday with his ban to start after Saturday’s Newmarket Handicap meeting where the jockey will partner Hay List in the feature race.
He is free to return to race riding on March 22, but the Randwick Guineas (1600m) is on March 17.
Manawanui’s trainer Ron Leemon said Berry had been selected over a number of high-profile hoops who had thrown their hats into the ring.
“The owners have decided to put Tommy Berry on for the Randwick Guineas because he knows the horse,” Leemon confirmed.
“He has ridden him twice before for a win and he was unlucky to get beaten first-up this time in the Royal Sovereign.
“His next run after the Randwick Guineas will be in the George Ryder and Glyn will be back on.”
Leemon said he left the decision on a jockey for the Randwick Guineas up to the gelding’s owners. And they were spoiled for choice.
“There were 10 (jockeys) that called and put their hand up,” Leemon said.
“I gave them (the owners) all their names and asked them to all pick two. Tommy was the one they chose and he won hands down.
“There was some very big names.”
Manawanui was an unlucky second first-up in the Royal Sovereign Stakes before being relegated to second in the Hobartville.
Leemon is confident the gelding can return to the winner’s circle in the Guineas.
“He should have won both races so far, it’s just been that luck hasn’t been on his side in running in both races,” he said.
“He’s come through the Hobartville very well.
“I haven’t had the chance to do much with him because of the rain but he’ll gallop again tomorrow and Tuesday and hopefully he’ll be spot-on for Saturday week.”
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