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Alysha Collett is the new rider for the John O’Shea-trained Maximal in the Golden Eagle.
Sam Clipperton has failed in his brave bid to partner Maximal in the Golden Eagle and will be replaced by Alysha Collett in the $7.5 million race.
Racing NSW stewards confirmed on Wednesday that Clipperton had been unable to gain a medical clearance to ride after fracturing his jaw in an off the track incident last weekend.
"Sam Clipperton has sustained a fracture to his jaw that required surgery yesterday (Tuesday)," Racing NSW said in a tweet.
"While the surgery was successful, Sam has not been cleared to ride this Sat(urday) at Rosehill."
The injury is an untimely blow for Clipperton, who has been in terrific form, including notching a double at Randwick last Saturday aboard Mazu in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes and Exoboom in the Filante Handicap.
However, it is an incredible opportunity for Collett, the sister of fellow jockey Jason, as she continues to make steady inroads in Sydney.
Collett had ridden 30 winners in NSW this season heading into the midweek meeting at Canterbury and she has a handy book of rides at Saturday's Golden Eagle meeting.
Along with Maximal, she will partner last-start winner Soldier Of Love in the Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m), Edit in the Classique Legend Stakes (1300m) and the Kim Waugh-trained Conrad in The Four Pillars.
A three-quarter brother to champion Frankel, Maximal will be making his Australian debut and boasts some strong English formlines being twice placed in Listed grade and finishing fourth in the Group 1 St James Palace Stakes in June.
