ROSEHILL MIDWAY THE "STATE" OF PLAY

THURSDAY: January 29, 2026: JACK Pilkington chased the world’s best jockey for Alabama State, and is hoping James McDonald can weave his “magic” at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Irrespective of the result however, Alabama State is headed for the spelling paddock afterwards and won’t compete in the forthcoming Provincial-Midway Championships series.

The Hawkesbury trainer accepted with the four-year-old in two races on Saturday, and opted for the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1350m) rather than the Benchmark 78 Handicap at the same distance.

“There wasn’t much difference in the barriers,” Pilkington said today.

“Whilst he will start from the outside in the Midway, he drew nine out of 12 in the Benchmark 78.

“Because he was a dual acceptor at the meeting, I had to make a decision today.

“The Midway looks to be a weaker race, and we’ve got the world’s best jockey aboard.

“I rang James’ agent to say I felt he was a winning chance if we went to the Midway (Zac Lloyd was booked for the Benchmark 78).

“It’s the first time James has ridden for me.”

Alabama State this afternoon was a $4 second favorite with TAB.com.au behind $3.10 top pick Attractiveness (Lloyd), to whom he is conceding a tidy 7.5kg, in a $7.50 bar two market.

Alabama State has raced well at his last two starts in Benchmark 78 grade; third to Step Aside over 1300m at Royal Randwick on December 20, and fourth to Alabama Fox over 1500m there a fortnight later.

Whilst Pilkington’s home track kicks off the PMC series on February 19, he says Alabama State won’t be there.

“It has been a stop and start campaign, and he has been up for quite a while,” Pilkington said.

“Alabama State hasn’t really had a good spell, and now is the time to do it.

“I don’t think you will see him again until he is a five-year-old.”

Provincial trainers have five of the 12 runners in Saturday’s Midway.

Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Jason Attard is stepping Cryptonic (Tommy Berry) up to 1350m, whilst Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker has both last start winner Close Encounter and Justela, and Wyong’s Nacim Dilmi has Kyeema (Regan Bayliss).

Parker has given his apprentice Rebecca Bronett Prag the chance to post another city success after scoring on Close Encounter at home on January 22, whilst Jay Ford partners Justela.