Leading Sydney jockey James McDonald has less than three weeks to make a decision on whether he will partner Verry Elleegant during the spring.
A six-time Group 1 winner on Verry Elleegant, McDonald was aboard the mare when she stepped out in a barrier trial at Randwick on Tuesday in preparation for her spring return.
Co-owner Brae Solkoski said the ownership group wants the same jockey to partner Verry Elleegant through her entire spring campaign that is set to commence in the Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 21.
Her campaign is then to progress to the Group 1 George Main Stakes, either the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington or the Group 2 Hill Stakes at Randwick, before the Group 1 Cox Plate at The Valley.
A decision on whether Verry Elleegant runs in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington will be made after the Cox Plate.
McDonald also has first choice aboard Zaaki who showed his class in Brisbane during the winter.
Zaaki is not scheduled to start his spring campaign in the Winx Stakes.
Sokolski said he, nor trainer Chris Waller, had spoken to McDonald about whether he will stay with Verry Elleegant during the spring.
“The decision will reside with James,” Sokolski told RSN.
“We will be adamant there will need to be commitment up front for the entirety of the preparation and we’re hopeful that James, having won six Group 1’s on her, that he sticks with the proven commodity.
“But it’s his decision and we’ll have other elite jockeys lining up should he elect to go with Zaaki.”
Verry Elleegant won the Caulfield Cup last spring and in the autumn returned to win the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes and Ranvet Stakes before finishing second to UK raider Addeybb in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.
