James McDonald to ride debut winner Rivellino in $2 million Inglis Millennium

Trainer Kris Lees has secured a significant confidence boost with James McDonald set to partner debut winner Rivellino in the $2 million Inglis Millennium. Although stable apprentice Benjamin Osmond rode the colt to victory in a two-year-old maiden in January, McDonald later tested him in a barrier trial at Randwick and was impressed enough to take the Millennium mount.

“James McDonald has trialed him and will ride him, so that’s a positive,” Lees said. “He looks a nice horse. He has got a little bit of work to come. He had a good blow after the trial so there is a bit of improvement to come off it, and I’m looking forward to getting him to the races.”

Rivellino, by Too Darn Hot out of the So You Think mare Intrinisic, who Lees also trained, showed professionalism to chase down the more experienced The Magic Man on debut at Randwick. The Magic Man subsequently finished second to Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton.

The Lees-trained juvenile is currently second in Inglis Millennium (1100m) betting at $4.50, just behind joint favourites Price Tag, who finished runner-up in the Blue Diamond Preview at Sandown, and the undefeated Within The Law ($4 each).

Rivellino is priced at $51 in Golden Slipper odds, and Lees hasn’t ruled out pushing further into the autumn if the colt continues to impress.

“I think he could, but it’s a run at a time with two-year-olds when they’re up early so we’ll see,” he said.

Meanwhile, stablemate Gobi Desert, high in the order of entry for next weekend’s feature, will not line up. The Max Lees Classic winner was given a short break after a challenging run in the Inglis Nursery and has only recently returned to work.

“We will aim her more towards the late autumn and into the Scone carnival,” Lees confirmed.

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