J Mac’s Book This Sat – Back On Espiona
Sydney’s leading jockey James Mcdonald will renew his partnership with three-year-old filly Espiona when she lines up in Saturday’s James HB Carr Stakes (1400) at Randwick.
Espiona promised so much after her first two starts breaking the clock at Warwick farm on debut and again second-up at Flemington during cup week.
But the gloss began to wear off the daughter of Not A Single Doubt when she missed as favourite in the Light Fingers Stakes first-up and Surround Stakes second-up.
She then contested the Coolmore Classic with Jay Ford in the saddle in put in a career worst performance finishing 8th in the 12-horse field.
She will carry 55kg in Saturday’s Group 3 feature with McDonald also riding Cascadian in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m).
One of his more anticipated rides will be on the highly talented Straight Aron for Chris Waller.
Straight Aron ran sensational late splits to win the Carbine Club Stakes on Derby day and will look to give Waller his third victory in the Frank Packer Plate in as many years after Senor Toba and Kinane took out the 2000m event for three-year-olds over the past two years.
James McDonald’s rides for Randwick April 16;
Cascadian – Group 1 All Aged Stakes
Quantico – Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes
Maximal – Group 3 JRA Plate
Espiona – Group 3 James HB Carr Stakes
Straight Aron – Group 3 Frank Packer Plate