Coolmore has confirmed that Ryan Moore will partner favourite Storm Boy in the $5 million Golden Slipper with James Mcdonald to ride the Chris Waller-trained Switzerland.
The announcement was made by Coolmore on Thursday, a day after McDonald was in the saddle for an exhibition gallop aboard Storm Boy at Randwick.
Speaking on Sky Racing radio on Thursday, McDonald said he hadn’t been distracted by the decision as the final call was made by Coolmore and he would have been content to ride either colt.
“No, not really because it was taken out of my hands. They make the decision,” McDonald said.
“They sit down and work out which rider would suit which horse. Either horse, I would have been happy to ride.
“Obviously I ride a lot for Chris (Waller) and have a lot to do with Switzerland at home, so I know the horse like the back of my hand.”
McDonald partnered Storm Boy for the first time in a race when he led and romped home with the Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last start.
He has ridden Switzerland to his past two wins, including a barnstorming Todman Stakes (1200m) victory last Saturday, and while the star colts have different racing styles, McDonald says both are outstanding talents.
“I’ve been glowing of both colts, they’re unbelievable,” McDonald said.
“When they’re first and second favourites, it’s doesn’t really matter which one you’ll be on….you’ve got a huge chance of winning the Golden Slipper.
“They’re a little bit different styles of horses but both incredibly talented horses and they’re both going to be incredibly hard to beat in the Slipper.”
Storm Boy is a $2.30 Golden Slipper favourite with online bookmakers, ahead of Switzerland at $4.50 with Todman Stakes runner-up Straight Charge ($9) the only other horse at single-figure odds.
The Europe-based Moore flew in to claim the Slipper on the Waller-trained and Coolmore-owned Shinzo 12 months ago, also capturing the Ranvet Stakes on Dubai Honour the same day to take his Australian tally of Group 1 wins to five.
McDonald knows Moore is at the top of Coolmore’s pecking order, but he believes Switzerland gives him a genuine chance to upstage the accomplished Englishman in Saturday week’s Golden Slipper.
“Ryan is the retained jockey so that probably had a play in it. If you’re coming all the way from Europe you’d want to be on the favourite if you can,” McDonald said.
“I wouldn’t rule out Switzerland storming over the top of them, don’t worry about that.”
