Donna Riordan admits there is a tinge of nervousness, but she’s doing her best to disguise it.
She’s determined to remain cool, calm and composed and is embracing the challenge that lies ahead.
That test for Donna Riordan is somewhat twofold: she takes on a quality horse from a revered trainer that coincides with her return to the training caper after a three-year-spell.
Previously with Lindsey Smith, God Has Chosen steps out for the first time under Riordan’s direction in the $250,000 Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
God Has Chosen won five races for Smith, reaching a current career peak in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) in May and transferred to Riordan two weeks ago.
The son of Playing God kicked off his career in Albany for Neil Lee and was Smith’s flagship horse in Perth as he operated a dual-state stable based in Warrnambool.
Riordan is no stranger to God Has Chosen, getting a first-hand look and working closely with the five-year-old as Smith’s Perth stable foreman.
Thrilled to be teaming up with God Has Chosen in a major race, Riordan said there’s no added burden or expectation on her in the Lee Steere Stakes.
“I was always nervous looking after Lindsey’s horses, there was a lot of pressure,” Riordan told The Races WA.
“It was always extremely important and a lot of pressure to do your best for the boss.
“But I also placed personal pressure on myself to get the job done.
“I’m excited to have him and can’t believe it, but it will be pretty much a muchness to be honest.
“Lindsey has a great system and not much has changed.
“If it ain’t broke why fix it; it’s proven and it’s worked.”
After winning the Belmont Sprint, God Has Chosen went close in the Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and Strickland Stakes (2000m), running second and third respectively.
First up this campaign in the Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) he ran home strongly from the second half of the field to finish eighth, but was just three lengths adrift of Resortman.
Undefeated in three second up races, Riordan said God Has Chosen is close to his top.
“I think he has improved but he doesn’t need to on his first up run, he was super,” Riordan said.
“Had he settled closer he would have been right in the finish.
“I’m really pleased with the horse.”
With the scratching of Victorian galloper, Aysar, God Has Chosen comes into barrier seven.
Joe Azzopardi gets his first official ride on the gelding.
“Joe has done like most of the work on the horse all the way through this campaign and the last,” Riordan said.
“Joey was ecstatic, I was ecstatic and the owners are happy to have him on.”
Tabtouch has God Has Chosen rated a $9.50 chance.