Beiwacht had his first look at Sandown on Tuesday morning, but the Chris Waller-trained triple Group 1 winner was not the only one to benefit from a look at the track.
James McDonald made his first trip to the spacious venue in eight years when he partnered Beiwacht in a course proper track gallop.
The champion jockey will ride the 1400-metre specialist in this Saturday’s $1 million Group 1 C F Orr Stakes, which makes its return to the track it called home from 1966-96 before taking up residence at Caulfield.
Saturday’s meeting also contains the Group 2 Zipping Classic and McDonald hasn’t ridden at Sandown since Zipping Classic Day 2018, when he was unplaced in three rides including Who Shot Thebarman in the main race.
He partnered that stayer to victory in the Zipping Classic three years earlier, which was the 34-year-old’s second and most recent Sandown winner.
“I looked pretty baby-faced then,” McDonald said on Tuesday morning when asked of memories of the Zipping Classic win.
“It’s good to be back. It’s obviously a fantastic racecourse and got so much room. It’s nice to be here.”
Sandown will become the 20th venue that McDonald has ridden a winner at the highest level if he can get Beiwacht home to a fourth Group 1 win at 1400m.
He won last year’s Group 1 Golden Rose under Adam Hyeronimus, while Nash Rawiller was aboard for his All Aged Stakes and Memsie Stakes wins.
The Orr Stakes will be the first time McDonald has partnered the son of Bivouac in a race, so he was happy to take up the opportunity to hop aboard four days out from the race.
“I’ve ridden him in trackwork a little bit, but this will be my first sit on him under pressure and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“Obviously he’s a very good horse, it looks a strong race, but he’s definitely up to that.
“He’s got a new challenge here with Sandown, but I’m sure he’ll cope pretty well.”
McDonald will also get a shot at another Zipping Classic win this Saturday, to partner Travolta in the 2400m event worth $750,000, while he also rides Consulate in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) and Chayan in the $1 million Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m).
