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Kiwi jockey James McDonald is assured of a ride in Saturday's GI Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hastings but he won't know his mount until Saturday morning.
Photo by Racing and Sports
McDonald, having made the move to Sydney to set himself up for the spring carnival, is returning home for the Challenge Stakes under a prior arrangement with trainers Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie.
The Ramsey/Ritchie partnership have booked McDonald to ride thie G1 Telegraph Handicap winner Giuseppina but have warned that she will be a scratching if the track is wet.
If that is the case it won’t be a wasted trip for McDonald as he will switch to the John Bary-trained No Excuse Maggie as his ride in the 1400m weight-for-age feature. Bary has not declared a rider, advising stewards that he will pick up McDonald if Giuseppina is scratched.
Matamata Cup winner No Excuse Maggie was a late entry for the Challenge Stakes early this week as connections are hoping to boost her stud value with a G1 placing with the proven wet tracker expected to be suited by a track expected to no better than slow.
The big field is headed by New Zealand's champion sprinter-miler Mufhasa. The eight-time G1 winner will be by Sam Spratt.
Australian interest will focus on Ocean Park having his first start since his Rosehill Guineas placing in Sydney in March.
He will be ridden by Lisa Allpress.
