Sydney-based jockey James McDonald will head to Melbourne to ride Nayeli in the Blue Diamond Stakes for Gai Waterhouse.
Nayeli sits on the third line of betting at $8 after her impressive win in the Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield on February 1.
“She looked quite impressive watching her on the television and by all reports she is doing really well in Melbourne so I was happy to take the ride,” McDonald said.
McDonald is yet to ride Nayeli with Tommy Berry doing the steering when she won on debut and Vlad Duric piloting the More Than Ready filly last start.
Earthquake is a slight favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes at $2.80 ahead of Rubick at $3.
Brenton Avdulla said Rubick definitely felt his tough run in the Blue Diamond Prelude on Saturday night but had bounce backed by Sunday morning.
“You could really tell he had a tough run,” he said.
“It can either make or break horses but I think it might bring him on because on Sunday morning he was good as gold, he ate up and was the same on Monday.”
Avdulla said he was looking to return to Melbourne on Thursday to give Rubick a light gallop before his final hit-out on Monday week.
– Relaxed Racing
