Cambridge apprentice Michael McNab got a surprise phone call when offered the ride on the multiple Group One winner Shez Sinsational at Gate Pa on Saturday.
New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock has entrusted McNab with the ride on Shez Sinsational in the Stewart Browne Group 1400, which will be the mare's lead-up to a three-race Queensland campaign.
McNab will be just the third jockey to ride Shez Sinsational on raceday with Opie Bosson and James McDonald being aboard on the 19 occasions. Bosson rode Shez Sinsational in her first 10 starts and McDonald then took over.
"I've been watching Michael since he started back and he's riding very well," said Sharrock. "He'll help by taking a couple of kilos off her back, too.
"I'm also taking the blinkers off her. I always take them off when she's fresh. She doesn't need them fresh."