It might not be the best of book of rides James McDonald has had going to Rosehill on Saturday, but there is one thing about the comeback jockey: he is form.
Rather than favourites, McDonald has a series of hopes like Tchaikovsky, Outrageous and Renewal that could develop into spring stars at each-way odds. But it might be foolish to count McDonald out of riding a winner.
Eye of the tiger: James McDonald has started the new season in great form.
He has ridden a winner at each of the eight meetings he has ridden at this month, plus six doubles and a treble. There is a steeliness about McDonald since his return from a betting ban in May.
The focus is there and the support from trainers is there, and this has combined for a sensational start to the season, albeit tempered by a careless riding suspension.
“I’m here to ride winners because that is the best way to get rides,” McDonald said. “I have got good support, and I have to keep that going by winning.
“Saturday’s rides are probably, as a group, not as strong because I have been going to the races pretty confident of riding winners for most of this month.
“I’m still on a few nice horses there on Saturday and, looking at it, the Highway ride [Highway Sixtysix] is maybe the best of them. There are a couple that I don't know much about but their form is good enough to be competitive.
”At this time of year, you are looking for that horse that can take you into the spring and there might be one of those there on Saturday."
McDonald had the offer of the unbeaten Graff but opted for Tchaikovsky after being on him for both his Randwick barrier trials for a win and a solid third behind stablemate and Saturday's rival Neutrality.
“He has been very strong in both his trials and has drawn well,” McDonald said. "He is going to get better over a trip, but he can run well."
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