Chad Schofield's disappointment at losing the ride on the Sydney autumn carnival's flagship sprinter, Lankan Rupee, has been marginally offset by gaining the mount on Victorian filly Solicit in Saturday week's group 1 Vinery Stakes.
On Tuesday, Lankan Rupee's connections told Schofield's management that Craig Newitt would be aboard when the in-form sprinter tackles the $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick next month.
Newitt had been Lankan Rupee's regular jockey, including partnering him to a dominant win in the group 1 Oakleigh Plate last month, but relinquished the mount to ride stablemate Samaready in the Newmarket Handicap this month, when Lankan Rupee - with Schofield in the saddle - scored another breathtaking win.
Mark Van Triet, who manages Schofield, said that while the rider was upset at the decision, he had always thought Newitt could regain the mount.
"Sure he was upset, as this horse is a wonderful sprinter with a great future, and when they rang about the change Chad was naturally disappointed,'' he said.
''But as it happens so often in racing, you miss out on a good ride and then another one comes along like Solicit. And she is a seriously good filly who will be extremely hard to beat in the Vinery.''
Van Triet said Schofield had been in strong demand from trainers in Melbourne and Sydney. On Monday morning, the jockey rode work for Gai Waterhouse, and on Tuesday went to Randwick again to work some of trainer Peter Moody's team.
He will ride at Randwick on Wednesday, Bendigo on Thursday, then fly to the Albury Cup meeting on Friday, before returning to Sydney on Saturday to ride at Rosehill.
Newitt was free to renew his association with Lankan Rupee after trainer Mick Price had a change of plans with Samaready, who will bypass the TJ Smith after her disappointing run in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley last Friday night.
Price is setting Samaready for the group 1 Sangster Stakes at Morphettville on April 26.
