THREE of Sydney’s leading riders, James McDonald, Blake Shinn and Tommy Berry will ride three of Greg Bennett’s four runners in the $100,000 Hunter and North West heat of the Country Championships at Scone on Sunday, February 21.
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The bookings are already confirmed with McDonald, who is leading the Sydney premiership, to ride All Summer Long while Berry will be on Clearly Innocent.
Shinn, sitting third behind McDonald on the premiership ladder, remains on Invienna after coming to Scone to ride her to a first up win last month while Blake Spriggs, who has been the regular rider of Chivadahlii throughout his career, remains on that horse.
Chivadahlii had his 11th start at Canterbury yesterday, with Spriggs in the saddle, as his final lead up to the heat.
“We might not get any of the four to the final but I want to make sure they have the best chance possible of qualifying,” Bennett said.
“I told all four riders that if they wanted to ride any of my horses that got to the final they had to help me get them there.
“Only the winner and second out of the heat go to the final but we also have the wild card at Muswellbrook which will be a big help.”
First and second from the Wild Card, run on March 27, also qualify for the final at Randwick on April 2.
Chivadahlii resumed with a good second behind Invienna at Scone last month, coming from well back early but giving Spriggs a nightmare ride in the straight.
He continually wanted to run in and Spriggs was on one rein trying to keep him on a straight course.
Chivadahlii trialled at Muswellbrook last Sunday carrying a bubble cheeker on his off side and a new bit and raced much more truly.
“That was a lot better,” Spriggs said as he brought the horse back to the enclosure.
All Summer Long has had two starts from a spell for a first up second at Randwick on New Years Day and a third in the Highway Hcp, also at Randwick on January 23.
