Blake Shinn picks up James McDonald’s prime Tattersall’s Tiara ride C’est Magique

Blake Shinn went from having no ride in the final Group 1 of the season to being aboard one of the best horses in the race after James McDonald was forced to give his book of rides.

Blake Shinn will go from having no ride in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara to steering one of the major chances in the final feature of the season, after picking up superstar James McDonald’s ride on C’est Magique.

McDonald was forced to relinquish his book of rides at Eagle Farm late on Thursday night, after ending up in hospital on Wednesday with a mystery stomach complaint which has forced him to stand down.

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The Chris Waller-trained mare is the $7 second elect in the $700,000 feature and is considered a major danger to favourite Bella Nipotina by many, having just her second start for the champion trainer after being purchased by Coolmore for $1.7 million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale last month.

James McDonald will not travel to Brisbane on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography.

Shinn was booked to ride the Mike Moroney-trained Coeur Volante, however connections opted to scratch the mare after drawing barrier 16, freeing the premier Victorian hoop up for the ride.

Tony Gollan’s All That Pizzazz will be ridden by Ryan Maloney in the Group 3 Healy Stakes, while Tim Clark will ride Millane for the leading trainer earlier in the day in the Benchmark 85 Handicap (1200m).

Originally published as Blake Shinn picks up James McDonald’s prime Tattersall’s Tiara ride C’est Magique