Racing
Ray On Sunday
Champion jockey James McDonald is set to break Damien Oliver’s all-time Group 1 record on Golden Slipper Day.
No one, not even McDonald, could have expected he would ride six winners at a Sydney Saturday meeting – something that hasn't been achieved since Jim Cassidy managed the feat in 1987 – but it was another reminder that we are watching greatness in the saddle.
McDonald is now only two wins from equalling the riding record for most Group 1 wins.
The Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 has five Group 1 races on the program with McDonald almost certain to have rides in all the majors including emerging champion mare Autumn Glow in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
The Australian Turf Club is on notice to something ready to acknowledge McDonald's feat if he breaks Oliver's record on Slipper Day or later in the autumn carnival as this will be a piece of racing history that deserves to be celebrated.
McDonald is widely acknowledged as the world's best jockey and he was in peerless form at Randwick last Saturday.
He rode Joliestar to victory in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes and also won on Generosity (Group 2 Challenge Stakes), Chayan (Group 2 Reisling Stakes), Gangsta Granny (Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality), Pinito (Group 3 Aspiration Quality) and Beadman (Listed Fireball Stakes).
McDonald knew he had a very good book of rides at the Randwick meeting but conceded he didn't expect to come away with six winners.
"It seemed like everything was aligned for me,'' McDonald said. "All my horses were presented immaculately and raced accordingly,
"It was a phenomenal day, six winners is something special, and Autumn Boy was gallant in defeat (second in the Randwick Guineas to Sheza Alibi).
"I did ride six winners in Otaki back in the day (2010) so it has been a long time since I've done it.
The Chris Waller-trained Joliestar won her fourth Group 1 in the Canterbury Stakes and although she is a rising six-year-old, McDonald said the mare is in career-best form and deserves her chance at Royal Ascot in June.
"Joliestar is in a purple patch of form and she looks great,'' he said.
"She is a big, robust mare who has taken time to mature and come into her own.
"But just through maturity, she is racing particularly well now. She can take up a position which she was never able to do and is adapting better.
"I think she is the right horse to take away to Royal Ascot as nothing fazes her, either.''
McDonald hasn't locked in his ride in the Golden Slipper but the superstar jockey conceded Chayan made a big impression on him with her brilliant Reisling Stakes win.
"Chayan was phenomenal, I was really taken by her,'' McDonald said.
"Annabel and Rob (Archibald) have done a wonderful job with her, she was glowing in the yard, she felt fantastic and her racing manners are impeccable.
"The Slipper picture is wide open and she is one of the main chances. The barrier draw will be very important because it is so even this year.''
The final word from McDonald was for Autumn Glow, the unbeaten mare who won her 10th race and second at Group 1 level in the Verry Elleegant Stakes last week.
"The most exciting part is we don't know where Autumn Glow's ceiling is,'' McDonald said.
"She has the most brilliant attitude, the most efficient stride and an incredible turn of foot. She keeps getting better and better each preparation.
"We have the George Ryder coming up and that is a time-honoured race. It is very exciting to be part of her story.''
BEST SLIPPER TRIAL
TAB Fixed Odds price assessors moved the Bjorn Baker-trained Paradoxium to the top of Slipper betting at $5 ahead of stablemate Warwoven after he sprinted clear of Stretan Ruler to win by 1.5 lengths.
Chayan was also a big firmer in Slipper betting when promoted to the third line at $9 after she put three lengths on her chasing rivals in the Reisling.
A comparison of race times shows the filly ran considerably faster time with Chayan stopping the clock at 1m 9.45s compared to Paradoxium's 1m 10.37s.
McDonald has a number of potential Slipper options including Chayan but he may not make a final decision until after he rides promising Central Europe in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill Gardens next Saturday.
CABALLUS FOR THE QUOKKA
Leading syndicator Scott Darby of Darby Racing revealed a deal has been struck to start Caballus in the rich Perth sprint.
"We have come to an agreement with Ram Racing to run Caballus in The Quokka,'' Darby said.
"The deal was done before the Newmarket but we just wanted to see how the horse ran at Flemington first.
"I was optimistic going into the Newmarket that the horse could run well although I thought Tentyris was the one to beat.
"But I got more excited as the day went on when it seemed the fence was playing well and Caballus looked the likely leader.
"Bjorn (Baker, trainer) and I have always thought this horse had the ability to win a good race so there was a lot of satisfaction watching him lead and win the Newmarket.''
Caballus is into $11 for the Group 1 $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 4, Day One of The Championships but it is likely he will be saved for The Quokka which is run two weeks later.
Overpass, the Baker-trained sprinter who is already a two-time winner of The Quokka for Darby Racing, has a barrier trial at Rosehill on Tuesday and is being aimed at the TJ Smith Stakes.
"We are looking to go to the TJ first-up and then maybe a Brisbane campaign aimed at the Doomben 10,000,'' Darby said.
Darby Racing also celebrated the comeback win of Campaldino in the Randwick City Stakes at Royal Randwick last Saturday.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Campaldino, winner of the Brisbane Cup last year, is now the $6 favourite for the Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.
"He will have two weeks into the Manion Cup, then another two weeks to the Chairman's Handicap before backing up a week later in the Sydney Cup.
Darby also has under-rated filly Spicy Miss fully qualified for the Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
"We are under no illusions this is a very open Slipper,'' Darby said. "But Spicy Miss is flying under the radar a little but I know Ciaron (Maher, trainer) is really happy with how she has done since winning the Sweet Embrace Stakes. She will be at her peak on Slipper Day.''
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