Talent isn’t the only reason star jockey James Mcdonald is at the top of his profession.
Just three days after capturing one of Japan’s biggest races aboard Cox Plate hero Romantic Warrior, the hard-working hoop was back plying his trade at the Warwick Farm midweeks.
With rides in six of the eight races, McDonald wasted no time getting back to business following his Group 1 Yasuda Kinen triumph, guiding the Chris Waller-trained I Am Famous to a hard-fought victory in the third event.
A maiden before Wednesday’s race, I Am Famous ($6.50) is a half-sister to 2020 Everest winner Classique Legend and defied a betting drift to get an important city win on her resume, coming from back and wide to overhaul Summer Soiree ($5.50) under a vigorous McDonald ride.
“She’s got a bit of a mind of her own,” McDonald said.
“We kept her happy today and she got into a lovely rhythm, albeit wide, and she strode into it nicely.”
McDonald finished the afternoon with a double after partnering West Of Africa to success in a four-way drive to the line in the Triple Time @ Darley Handicap (1300m).
It was the horse’s first win in over 18 months and trainer Annabel Neasham was left in no doubt that McDonald’s influence was the difference.
“That’s where you need James in those finishes, he gets every little bit of energy out of the horses,” Neasham said.
Waller took training honours with a treble courtesy of Demiana, I Am Famous and two-year-old Declichy Boulevard, who was an impressive winner of the opening event.
The latter settled off the speed from a midfield draw and was aided by a well-judged ride from Tommy Berry, the Warwick Farm-born jockey using his local knowledge to advantage.
“These races at Warwick Farm, especially down the back straight when the track is wet, it’s usually the horse that gets the beautiful momentum ride (that wins),” Berry said.
“It was very messy towards my inside, there was a lot going on, and she was able to fly into the race nicely.
“Even though she had a wide run, she balanced up nicely and put them to the sword.”
Berry and McDonald will both be in action at the Queensland Oaks meeting in Brisbane on Saturday where they ride a pair of Waller fillies in the feature.
McDonald partners race favourite and The Roses winner Scarlet Oak, while Berry will be aboard Mare Of Mt Buller, who finished second in the Group 2 lead-up.
