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Australia Will Have a New Jockey – If He Lines Up at York

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Australia is set to have a new jockey for the first time in his career should he run in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York next Wednesday, but trainer Aidan O’Brien has made a statement, warning that the favourite for the race is far from a certain participant.

australia-epsom-derby-winner

Australia: dual Classic winner is odds-on for the International PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

O’Brien’s son Joseph has ridden the three year old in all six all of his career starts but is unable to make the 8 stone 12 pounds weight restrictions Australia would have to carry against the older horses in the Group 1 race at York.

The Coolmore-owned star, who recently won the Investec and Irish Derbies, is the clear favourite across the market for the International, but O’Brien has stated his decision to run is still up in the air. Australia is currently 4-6 to take out the International with Bet365 Bet365 while his closest competition is Telescope at 4-1.

O’Brien, who has won York‘s richest race three times in the last six years, said: “We won’t be making a decision about Australia running for another few days. He’s being trained with the race in mind, but it’s still in the balance if he will travel.

“If he does run Joseph won’t be riding him as 8st 12lb is below his minimum. We’ll wait until we decide about running before confirming a jockey.”

The already hard task of finding a replacement jockey for the colt, who has only ever partnered with Joseph, has been made that much tougher with many of the top contenders already partnering horses in the race.

Top of the list would have been Ryan Moore, but he is already partnering Telescope for his boss Sir Michael Stoute, while Jamie Spencer – one of only six jockeys to have ridden a winner in Britain for O’Brien in the last five seasons – will be riding the Qatar Racing-owned Arod.

Ballydoyle stalwarts Seamie Heffernan and Colm O’Donoghue are two alternatives, but O’Brien has a tough search ahead of him.

Not running wouldn’t be the worst outcome in the world for Australia, who has options in next month’s Qipco Irish Champion Stakes and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

But it would definitely shake up the racing card, and the prices for the remaining competitors would be slashed considerably. It would be best to get your bets in at Bet365 Bet365 before that happens.

Juddmonte International Stakes at bet365: Australia 4-6, Telescope 4-1, Mukhadram 5-1, Eagle Top 8-1, Kingston Hill 10-1, The Grey Gatsby 12-1, Trading Leather 14-1, Arod and Kingsbarns 16-1, Kingfisher 40-1, Hall Of Mirrors 66-1.

The post Australia Will Have a New Jockey – If He Lines Up at York appeared first on Horse Racing UK.


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