Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup has booked premier jockey James McDonald to ride Icebath in Saturday week’s Epsom Handicap at Randwick.
Racing NSW stewards have approved McDonald to ride Icebath at 54.5kg, a kilogram over her 53.5kg if the weights are not raised.
James McDonald will link with Icebath in the Epsom Handicap.Credit:Getty
“It is not often you can get James for any race, yet alone a group 1, and we’re delighted he was available,” Widdup said. “We had a number of other jockeys who could make the 53.5 [kilos], but talking with connections, we decided to go with James to try and get that group 1 with her finally.
“She is in the best form of her career, and she gets to her favourite course; the mile at Randwick.”
Icebath hasn’t had a stakes win, but in eight runs at group 1 level, she has been placed on five occasions, including being runner-up in the biggest mile races in the county, the Doncaster, the Cantala Stakes and the George Main Stakes last time out.
She was third behind Mr Brightside in the Doncaster earlier this year and has also been the Golden Eagle runner-up and was the winner of the inaugural Invitation.
Icebath has banked more than $4.5 million but Widdup wants her to be his first group 1.
“She deserves to get that group 1 and I think this is her best chance,” Widdup said. “We have targeted this race and everything has gone right since she came back in.”
The booking of McDonald should see Icebath, which is a $7 chance, become the Epsom favourite.
McDonald already has won two group 1s on Anamoe in his only two rides at the top level this season, and he rides the favourites for this weekend’s three group 1s, starting with Paulele in Friday’s Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.
He will also be in Godolphin blue on In Secret in Saturday’s Golden Rose st Rosehill.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter
