Rodd, Berry to make hay while McDonald looks on Michael Rodd and Tom Berry will turn to the suspended James McDonald in preparation for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes showdown between It's A Dundeel and Silent Achiever at Randwick on Saturday. McDonald rode It's A Dundeel to his triple crown success in the Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby, but will look on as he takes on the older horses at weight-for-age the final day of the carnival. "I'm just the lucky one to be filling in," Rodd said. It is probably the best pick-up ride I have ever got and I'm ever likely to get. James knows this horse so well, so I will be talking to him before Saturday. "It is probably the best pick-up ride I have ever got": Michael Rodd Photo: Vince Caligiuri I came to Sydney and rode him on Tuesday, and he just gives you the feel of something a bit special. It was actually what you expect from watching what he has done so far in the carnival. It's A Dundeel is a $1.35 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth after his romps against three-year-olds at his past two, and Silent Achiever, at $7, is considered the challenger. McDonald is also Silent Achiever's regular partner, and rode her when she was beaten a head in The BMW by Fiveandahalfstar. "I will be giving James a call just to have a quick chat about her," Berry said. I have ridden her a couple of times, and she gives me the feel that she is spot on for 2000 metres on Saturday. She has a great turn of foot and as we saw in The BMW, she is a very good weight-for-age horse. I would like to think we might be in front of It's A Dundeel in the run and give him something to chase. Rodd knows all eyes will be on him and It's A Dundeel in the Queen Elizabeth but doesn't see it as any extra pressure. "He is one of those horses that has people talking and watching," Rodd said. There is no real extra pressure at the moment, but I'm sure when I get to the track I will start to feel it. I just have to let him show what he can do and everything should be all right. Rodd's day of chances doesn't end with the Queen Elizabeth, which is the first of four group 1s, as he rides Drago in the Champagne Stakes and Blood Brotha in the Sydney Cup. Rodd is confident Blood Brotha will stay the two miles (3200m) in the cup, and was happy to stick with him after running second to Tremec in the Chairman's Handicap two weeks ago. "He has won two New Zealand Cups over the two miles, so he is an out-and-out stayer," Rodd said. He was very strong at the end of the Chairman's and he is right in the Sydney Cup. Drago has been a two-year-old to emerge as a prospect late in the season, and Rodd said he could cause a shock in the Champagne after hitting the line hard for fourth in the Sires' Produce Stakes a fortnight ago. "The draw [of 14] is a bit awkward but he gets back anyway," Rodd said. From what I have seen, he will be charging late. Trainer Anthony Cummings labelled him his best three-year-old for next season. "He has surprised me with what he has done so far and he keeps improving," he said.