James Mcdonald will be looking to repeat his heroics of nine years ago when he partners Broadsiding in this Saturday’s Golden Rose at Rosehill.
The star duo will start from the inside alley in the $1 million Group 1, which has drawn a field of 11.
McDonald won the 2015 Golden Rose in the Godolphin blue aboard Exosphere from barrier one, which is one of two wins in the lucrative race for Australia’s leading big-race rider, who also won the 2016 edition from barrier 12 aboard Astern.
The Golden Rose will be Broadsiding’s first start since recording a fourth-straight win in the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June and McDonald said Sydney’s weather has the potential to impact the race even more than the starting positions.
“We’re due a lot of rain Thursday, Friday and a little bit Saturday, up to 60-70 mils, so that’s going to throw a spanner in the works,” McDonald told SENTrack on Tuesday morning.
“We know Broadsiding goes well on it, Traffic Warden’s performed OK on it, Linebacker, Storm Boy (have won on the wet), so it’s going to be a very competitive race.
“We feel we’re on the right one anyway.”
Rain in Sydney is predicted to start on Thursday, when up to 40mm could fall, followed by up to 35mm on Friday and potentially 10mm on Saturday.
Broadsiding’s J J Atkins win came on a Good 3 track but his other Group 1 success – the 1600m Champagne Stakes – was on a Heavy 10 track.
Broadsiding, the $2.80 post-draw favourite, is one of two Golden Rose runners for James Cummings who has Run To Rose winner Traffic Warden to start from barrier nine with Ben Melham aboard.
Storm Boy (Adam Hyeronimus) drew the outside alley, Linebacker (Kerrin McEvoy) seven, Anode (Tim Clark) 10 and Chris Waller’s only runner, Emirate, will start from three with Nash Rawiller to ride.