James Mcdonald is the new jockey for Kosciuszko favourite Front Page with confirmation the horse’s regular rider Tyler Schiller will be in Melbourne to ride Fawkner Park in the Caulfield Cup.
Trainer Matthew Dale confirmed he had booked Sydney’s leading hoop for the prized mount on the country sprinter, who will be chasing a Kosciuszko three-peat after winning the past two renewals under Schiller.
“James McDonald was booked as of last night,” Dale said from Rosehill on Saturday.
“We would have loved to have had Tyler on, he’s obviously won the last two on him, but I was very pleased to secure James with Tyler heading to Caulfield.”
Front Page hasn’t raced since finishing fourth in the Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm in May and despite turning eight earlier this month, Dale says the horse is going as well as ever.
“He is following the exact same script as last year and he’s every bit as good,” he said.
“Even though he is an eight-year-old, he is very lightly raced and is right where we want him.”
Dale was in the winner’s stall at Rosehill with Super Norwest in the Highway Handicap (1400m), the mare breaking through for a well-deserved win after filling the placings at her previous three starts.