Racing: McDonald avoids ash to ride in Tiara

James McDonald. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Star Kiwi apprentice James McDonald is set to fulfil four key engagements, including the ride on Pontiana in the Group One Tattersall's Tiara, at Eagle Farm today.

It was feared McDonald may have been left stranded in Auckland.

McDonald recently eclipsed Lisa Cropp's tally of 197 wins in the 2004-05 season and is within one win of becoming the first Kiwi jockey to ride 200 winners in a season.

The 19-year-old, who won his first Group One in Australia aboard Scarlett Lady in the Queensland Oaks, has put his aspirations in New Zealand on hold to ride at Eagle Farm.

McDonald was thankful he booked with Air New Zealand whose flights to Brisbane yesterday were unaffected by the ash cloud.

"Some of the New Zealand trainers were booked on Qantas but I was lucky enough to come over on Air New Zealand."

Michael Hawkes, co-trainer of Pontiana, is confident she can fully test the favourite Beaded who goes into the 1400-metre feature with excellent form following her Group One Doomben 10,000 victory in May and last-start second in this month's Group One Stradbroke Handicap.

Pontiana, a daughter of Redoute's Choice, has finished third at her past two starts, to Shannara in the Listed Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone and Hurtle Myrtle in the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m).

Beaded will be trying to give trainer Peter Snowden his eighth Group One this season.

- AAP