KEY POINTS:
BRISBANE - Champion jockey Darren Beadman has been booked to ride Mandela in Monday's Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm, one of seven New Zealand-trained runners confirmed in the field yesterday.
Mandela, one of the likely favourites, drew barrier two in a capacity field of 20 for the group two race worth A$300,000 ($336,000).
The other New Zealanders are topweight Pentathon, Lilakyn, Ring Of Fire, Sculptor, Gorgeous George and Mirkola Lass.
South Auckland trainer Richard Yuill successfully booked Beadman to partner Mandela for a third successive Australian start.
It depended on Beadman's commitments to the John Hawkes stable, which has no runners in the Brisbane Cup after Headturner's unplaced run at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Mandela, who won easily in his first Brisbane start in the group three Chairman's Handicap (2020m), will carry 56kg, 2kg less than Pentathon.
Yuill had previously told reporters he would withdraw Mandela unless he was given a fair weight, after his third placing carrying 58kg as an even-money favourite in the group three Premier's Cup (2200m) at Doomben on May 26.
Pentathon's trainer John Wheeler may now feel slightly hard done by after his stayer was given topweight in the wake of his stunning last-stride victory in the group two P.J. O'Shea Stakes (2200m) at weight-for-age last Saturday.
New Zealand-based jockey Mark du Plessis will reclaim the ride on Pentathon, who jumps from barrier seven, after missing Saturday's win due to suspension.
- NZPA
