JAMES MCDONALD HAS A DOOMBEN 10 000 RIDE. WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHICH HORSE IT WILL BE YET

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Jockey James McDonald only had one reservation after the Peter Snowden trained Beadman had bounced back to his best form to win the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas over 1200m last Saturday.

When it was suggested to him post-race that Beadman might well back-up in this Saturday’s, Group 1 Doomben 10 000 before going on to the Stradbroke, McDonald was quick to deflect that argument saying, “Yeah, I reckon the Stradbroke is a good race for him … down in the weights, he’ll run well over the distance. The pressure of the Stradbroke will really suit him as well. He can switch off and, if he drew a gate, he would be in it up to his ears."

And then the crunch line.

“I’ve got a ride in the 10 000, so I don’t want him running there,” quipped McDonald.

Well, nothing is ever that clearcut in racing and, as it turns out, McDonald will actually be hovering in-between rides for the Doomben 10 000 for the next few days … and maybe right up to final scratchings at the end of the week … and, yes, at this stage, Beadman is one of McDonald’s possible rides.

The champion rider has been formally booked to ride the Tom Charlton trained Napoleonic, a three-year-old who has won three out of his nine career starts. Significantly, he has only been ridden on three occasions by McDonald … for three wins!

The big worry for the Charlton camp … it is more of a complication than a worry for McDonald … is that Napoleonic is only listed as the second emergency acceptor for the Doomben 10 000, while Beadman is the first emergency acceptor.

Lady Of Camelot’s unfortunate scratching from the race means that, if Peter Snowden is happy to go that route and the situation stays as it is now, Beadman will get a start, leaving Napoleonic stranded without a run.

In that case McDonald would be free to ride Beadman, who he has ridden in his last four starts.

If, however, there is a further scratching in the main field, both Beadman and Napoleonic can get a run and McDonald will have to revert back to his original booking and ride Napoleonic, leaving Snowden to find a late rider for Beadman.

If Snowden pulls Beadman out of the race, Napoleonic will face the starter with McDonald taking the ride.

Not quite a case of musical saddles, but still an intriguing part of the pre-race, big race hype.

In a maximum field of sixteen runners, Beadman has drawn barrier one. Napoleonic has drawn barrier 10.

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