Champion jockey James McDonald, who tests Lady Shenandoah as a potential $20m The TAB Everest ride at Royal Randwick on Saturday, is grappling with one of the toughest decisions of his celebrated riding career.
McDonald has to choose where he will ride on September 13 – does he go to Melbourne to ride Horse of the Year Via Sistina in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington or stay in Sydney for the Rosehill Gardens meeting where he could be riding outstanding mare Joliestar, top three-year-old colt Wodeton, and unbeaten duo Autumn Glow and Autumn Boy.
“It’s a tough one,” McDonald said when pressed on where he will ride next week.