Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper

Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.

Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to Hidrix this Saturday to gauge his race-day prowess initially, despite Confederation competing.

"There's not too much to read into it in terms of James," trainer Chris Waller's assistant, Charlie Duckworth said.

"He has ridden Confederation twice and knows the horse well. We want to afford James the best opportunity to ride our best opportunity in the Slipper, so it's probably important he rides Hidrix.

"He galloped him on Tuesday with the blinkers on and he worked really well.

"The horse is good, jockey is good, just the draw is the negative."

In a field of 11, Hidrix has post nine, with Confederation – pulled out of Sunday's Black Opal Stakes (1200m) in Canberra – allocated the adjacent draw outside.

Being already secured in the Golden Slipper field, the Todman Stakes (1200m) lacks do-or-die status for Hidrix, granting them leeway for this week's blinkers trial.

"They're just to help sharpen him up a little bit," he said of the blinkers.

"Slippers aren't easy to win, and we want him to have that killer punch. Ultimately, we'd rather have it work out now than working it out in the grand final."

For the Reisling Stakes (1200m), McDonald partners Chayan owned by Annabel and Rob Archibald; the filly resumes post two Melbourne races, runner-up in the Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude (1100m) and seventh wide-drawn in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).

"She just couldn't draw a barrier at either start," Annabel Archibald said.

"First start, she was very good, but she was just no hope with the run she had in the Diamond.

"With two-year-olds, it's always one run at a time and that was a pretty tough run she had . . . but she seems to have come through it pretty well."

With barrier nine herself, Chayan's effort will validate more Melbourne juvenile form, succeeding Stretan Ruler's Pakenham triumph in the Silver Slipper two weeks prior.

Stretan Ruler finishes his Golden Slipper path in the Todman Stakes, holding second favouritism behind Paradoxium, the Wyong Magic Millions winner.

Find the leading online bookmakers offering keen racing odds for the Todman Stakes.