James McDonald will partner $5.6 million filly Chayan when the Group 2 $300,000 Furious Stakes (1200m) launches her spring campaign at Randwick on Saturday.
The leading rider had a long-standing commitment to ride Chayan, paving the way for Tommy Berry to pick up the ride on the Tony Gollan-trained Silver Shadow Stakes winner Pembrey.
Co-trainer Annabel Archibald said McDonald’s decision to stick with Chayan, who sold to Coolmore for $5.6 million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in May, provided further encouragement ahead of her first start since finishing eighth in the Golden Slipper.
“It’s going to be a strong race, it won’t just be that filly to be aware of,” Archibald told Racing NSW.
“She’s trained up really well, trialled up well, looks good and she’s fit. I was nervous we might lose our jockey but luckily he’s sticking with her, she must have given him a good feel in the trials.”
Chayan has been set for the Furious after an eight-week break and a recent exhibition gallop in which she covered her final 600m in 38.63 seconds under Zac Lloyd, with the stable currently mapping a path towards the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) on October 3.
“She started the preparation off in Scone and has been down in Sydney since trialling,” Archibald said.
“It’s a slightly more quiet environment, it seems to be working well. She’s a little bit taller, she’s always that racy Vinnie (I Am Invincible) sort, and probably a little bit more settled at home.”
