James McDonald cemented his status as the world’s top jockey with a memorable treble on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Read on as we take a closer look at McDonald’s exploits, starting with a superb ride on one of the most promising fillies in Australia.
Autumn Keeps Glowing in the Darby Munro
The New-Zealand born rider got the ball rolling with a hugely impressive victory aboard Autumn Glory in the Hyland Race Colours Darby Munro Stakes.
The unbeaten Chris Waller-trained filly delivered an emphatic reminder of her ability when powering past a high-class field on her first start for six months.
McDonald had to work hard to get Autumn Glow into a good position, but the result never looked in doubt once she was allowed to extend herself in the home straight.
“The win was better than it looked because I was stuck in a really odd spot – drawn three, it was three wide for a bit,” McDonald said.
“The inside ones made us work a tad, so I was a little bit out of my comfort zone a tad.
“If she wasn’t Autumn Glow, I probably would have taken her back and ridden like a 10/1 chance, but she took no chances because she is very good, and it’s good to get that one out of the way.”
“She’s all class, she’s very good.”
Via Sistina Goes Back-to-Back in the Ranvet Stakes
McDonald completed a double on the card aboard Via Sistina, who left her rivals trailing with a power-packed display to win the Ranvet Stakes.
The seven-year-old was well-backed by punters in New Zealand, who love wagering on McDonald whenever he rides in big races.
The Kiwi ensured horse racing betting sites in New Zealand had to make a big payout by guiding Via Sistina to her second consecutive win in the Ranvet.
British-trained challenger Al Mubhir finished well beaten as Via Sistina continued to demonstrate why McDonald thinks she is one the best in the world.
“She’s well up there that’s for sure,” McDonald said. “She’s definitely good. It takes a good one to beat the big boy [Romantic Warrior] though.
“But she’s well up there and she turns up each and every time, which I’m so proud of her because if she was going to get beat, it could have been easily a race like this.
“As we’ve seen she’s getting more versatile. It felt like it was a mile race. She was really tanking up and hence the bead of sweat, so I’ve earned my money.”
McDonald Could be Heading to Royal Ascot
Broadsiding’s victory in the Rosehill Guineas completed a quickfire treble for McDonald and set up the intriguing possibility of him riding at Royal Ascot this year.
The Godolphin-owned horse held off the late surge of Aeliana to win by a narrow margin, with Swiftfalcon not too far away in third place.
Trainer James Cummings admitted that the horse did not have an easy run during the race, but praised McDonald for staying calm under pressure.
“He’s a class colt and class carries you a long way,” Cummings said. “I suppose from the draw, he’s had to do a fair bit of work.
“James just rode him with confidence and stuck to his plan, which was essentially to keep an open mind and not give away too much ground today on a track like this.
“But that filly, who’s been so good, and James knows well, Aeliena, has done work early and they can launch at you so it takes a very good horse to hold them off.
“You know, he’s probably not a genuine 2,000 metres horse, but he’s a brilliant horse, and he’s got up and won the Rosehill Guineas, so fair play to him.”
An international campaign could be on the cards for Broadsiding, with Cummings refusing to rule out an ambitious tile at the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
“Nothing is off the table,” Cummings added. “I’m not saying he will go overseas but it is something to think about.”
