James McDonald will head to Melbourne Feb. 15 to partner the Chris Waller-trained Switzerland in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (G1) at Flemington Racecourse, leaving behind his Cox Plate (G1)-winning mare Via Sistina, who runs first-up in the Apollo Stakes (G2) in Sydney under Kerrin McEvoy.
"You can't be in two places at once," McDonald told Sydney's Sky Racing radio. "We've got all those horses resuming at Randwick and Switzerland in the Lightning. I sit down with Chris and see where he wants us to go and he makes the final decision. It's disappointing to miss them but in saying that I'm pretty excited to be on Switzerland. It's a catch-22 and it's a good position to be in."
McDonald is chasing a second win in the Lightning Stakes, having partnered the Waller-trained Home Affairs to victory in 2022. Like Home Affairs, Switzerland is attempting to win the Lightning first-up having won the Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1) at Flemington in the spring.
"He's a really good colt, he won the Coolmore in exceptional fashion," McDonald said. "He ticked that box up the straight, he excelled up it so we're hoping he can do it again against older horses. This is a huge test for him, but he's had the perfect preparation in terms of two trials. He had a nice little stretch of the legs up the straight the other day, so we expect him to run really, really well."
Jusufovic set to roll the dice with Philosopher
Trainer Enver Jusufovic has chosen to 'roll the dice' for a rise in class with Philosopher, who is set to take his place in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.
A winner of the W.J. Adams Stakes at Sandown-Lakeside last time out, the 5-year-old son of Zoustar has been kept on the go through the summer and Jusufovic reported the gelding to be in rude health ahead of a first group 1 attempt.
"It's certainly a big rise in class against some very, very good sprinters," Jusufovic told Racing.com. "He ran a time last start in the Adams. He is super fit, he's in a great frame of mind. We will roll the dice."
Philosopher claimed his first stakes contest Jan. 25 following two placed efforts at Pakenham and Geelong.
"He just keeps on improving," Jusufovic continued. "He's taken a while to get really fit. He's got some confidence now. We will see how good he could be. Down the straight, he's had one start there and relished it. The big, open spaces will suit. You've got to be realistic against Switzerland, Growing Empire, and that. It's going to be hard. I'm hoping he can run in the first four. He needs a lot of speed. That's the key to him."
Mick Dee has been booked to ride Philosopher with the pair set to jump from barrier 10.
