Jamie Kah is set to ride star sprinter Nature Strip when he resumes in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington after regular jockey James McDonald opted to stay in Sydney.
McDonald has partnered the speedster to four Group One wins but under the COVID-19 travel guidelines, he would have been required to serve a quarantine period to maintain their association.
Trainer Chris Waller confirmed Kah as the “likely” new rider for Nature Strip, who arrived in Melbourne on Friday alongside stablemate September Run.
The filly, who is unbeaten at Flemington, will be ridden by Craig Williams.
“It is our intention that Jamie will ride Nature Strip in a jump out next Friday at Flemington where both he and September Run will have a nice blow out to complete their preparations for this important first up assignment,” Waller said.
Nature Strip is a $4.50 chance with TAB fixed odds for the Black Caviar Lightning, with September Run at $6.
Godolphin’s rising star Bivouac is a $2.60 favourite for the Group One sprint, which is run at Flemington on February 13.
Waller has also sent Imaging south and he will resume in the C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 6.
