James McDonald to ride Joliestar in The Everest as Lady Of Camelot wins star studded trial
A number of The Everest contenders and spring stars stepped out in a stacked barrier trial hit-out at Randwick on Tuesday morning.
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Star jockey James McDonald will hunt his second TAB Everest aboard Joliestar after reconnecting with Chris Waller’s star mare in a star studded barrier trial on Tuesday morning.
McDonald has been weighing up which horse he will pilot in the $20 million feature after riding 2022 winner Giga Kick throughout the lead up to his second The Everest assault.
But it can be revealed that McDonald has officially chosen to connect with Joliestar in the richest race on turf on Saturday week at Royal Randwick while Mark Zahra will now ride Giga Kick.
Joliestar, a $9 The Everest chance, was ridden back in the pack but travelled well throughout her 1000m trial, hitting the line 2-1/4 lengths off the winner.
She was one of four The Everest contenders in the heat.
Lady Of Camelot edged clear late, Sunshine In Paris was an eye catcher and Private Eye coasted along in the same trial.
*Boom colt Growing Empire completes The Everest field
It's LADY OF CAMELOT who narrowly takes out this morning's star-studded trial at @royalrandwick ahead of LADY LAGUNA and PRIVATE EYE 👀
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 7, 2024
Plenty of @tabcomau Everest contenders on show, who impressed?@GaiWaterhouse1 | @RachelK11 | @gobloodstockaus | @jmeharronpic.twitter.com/MUFm1aEVKj
New jockey Rachel King made her first public appearance aboard Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot after picking up the ride for The Everest.
She sat just off the leader before urging Lady Of Camelot on late to win the trial, clocking 58.48 seconds for the gallop with a last 600m of 34.90.
Jay Ford gave Private Eye an easy time of it to her inside as the two-time The Everest placegetter held three quarters of a length off the winner in third while Sunshine In Paris attacked the line for fourth.
“I thought he trialled great,” Ford said.
“He had plenty of enthusiasm, he travelled nicely and I didn’t overtax him.
“He felt great and was bouncing so it’s exactly what you want to see two weeks out from such a big race.
“I think he’s been going really well this preparation, we’ve just had bad gates so the barrier draw will be crucial next week.”
*Apprentice jockey ‘making good progress’ after fall
Private Eye, a two-time The Everest placegetter, was the third last horse snapped up for the The Everest after being secured by Neil Werrett, Max Whitby and Col Madden on Sunday.
He is a $15 chance for the race with I Wish I Win the $5 favourite.
It wasn’t just The Everest hopefuls lining up in Tuesday’s trial with gun mares Lady Laguna, Zougotcha and Fangirl also going through their paces.
Fangirl, a last start winner of the 7 Stakes, sat last for the entire hit out but was never asked for an effort from jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
Fangirl is a $2.80 second elect for the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on The Everest day while Amelia’s Jewel and Celestial Legend are both $11.
Blake Shinn was aboard Celestial Legend as the Les Bridge-trained galloper finished fifth with blinkers on for the first time.
Originally published as James McDonald to ride Joliestar in The Everest as Lady Of Camelot wins star studded trial
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