Wagga trainer Scott Spackman and connections have given the ride to Brooke Sweeney.

The 24-year-old rode O’ So Hazy in the $500,000 Country Championships Final at Randwick earlier in the year and has partnered the mare in eight of her 15 starts.

Sweeney was over the moon to secure the Kosciuszko ride.

“It’s really exciting,” Sweeney said.

“I absolutely love her. She’s been a big part of my career and provided me with the biggest ride of my career in the Country Championships Final and now to get this opportunity is absolutely extraordinary.

“This time I’ll be ready for it. Nerves hit me last time but this time around I know what to expect at Randwick from my last experience.”

Sweeney said it will be the biggest moment of her career.

“It’s the biggest day on the racing calendar, or the biggest money earner, that’s for sure,” she said.

“It will be the biggest race I’ve ever ridden in.”

Spackman spoke with a number of city jockeys before settling on Sweeney, who has ridden O’ So Hazy in four of her five career victories.

He was happy to give the nod to a country jockey.

“It’s what it’s all about,” Spackman said.

“It’s meant to be a race for bush trainers and horses so why not let everyone be apart of something big.

“Brooke knows the horse and I think it’s the right thing to do. The horse runs for her, she’s been there before and she knows what the horse can do.”

O’ So Hazy has returned with two only fair performances. She ran sixth first up at Wagga, before finishing 11^th at Warwick Farm last Wednesday but had excuses on both occasions.

Spackman has decided to give her one final public hit-out at Wagga on Saturday before The Kosciuszko on October 13.

O’ So Hazy will be entered for the barrier trial at Wagga on Saturday.

“She knew she’d been around after her last run,” Spackman said.

“She had a couple of marks on her from being buffeted around a bit so we’ve been monitoring them while we’ve kept her ticking over.

“She’ll probably trial on Saturday. We were in two minds with what to do and really couldn’t find another race that suited.

“If she happens to get balloted out of the trial then I’ll speak to Mr Davidson and Scott Sanbrook about an exhibition gallop.”

Sweeney will ride O’ So Hazy in the trial, or gallop, on Saturday. 

Currently working for Lindsay Park Racing at Flemington, Sweeney will have no issues making the 54 kilograms that O’ So Hazy will carry in The Kosciuszko.

She believes O’ So Hazy can make her presence felt in the feature.

“I definitely know what she’s capable of when she puts her right foot forward,” she said.

“She will drop a lot in weight. At her last two starts she’s had to carry a lot of weight...and she’s not the biggest of mares so carrying a lot less weight will help.”

O’ So Hazy was selected by Sydney-based slot holder Eamon Gormley for the race last week.

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