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| Staff Writer |
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James McDonald has mapped out his riding commitments to accommodate both Romantic Warrior and Via Sistina in a schedule spanning two continents this autumn.
The champion rider will partner world's highest-rated horse Romantic Warrior in a three-race Middle East campaign, starting with the Gr.1 Jebbel Hetta in Dubai on January 24. The Danny Shum-trained superstar then tackles the US$32 million Saudi Cup before concluding with the US$8 million Dubai Turf at the World Cup meeting on April 5.
Via Sistina, now with trainer Chris Waller, is being aimed at a four-race weight-for-age programme. The mare's likely route begins in the Group Two Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick on February 15, progressing through the Group One Verry Elleegant Stakes and Group One Ranvet Stakes, before targeting the US$5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes on April 12.
"Your guess is as good as mine," McDonald said regarding Romantic Warrior's dirt track prospects in the Saudi Cup. "He's such a very good horse I'm sure he will run terrifically well because he doesn't know how to run badly.
"But we are taking on the best horses in the world from America and everywhere so it is going to be a very tough test for him."
Despite a two-month absence, McDonald maintains his Sydney premiership lead on 46 wins. He returns to the saddle at Canterbury's night meeting on January 17, riding at Rosehill the following day before departing for Dubai.