McDonald guided home a remarkable sixth victor in the final event of the 10-race Randwick card aboard Gangsta Granny in the Wenona Girl Quality (1200m).
This marks the initial occasion a rider has claimed six successes at a Sydney Saturday fixture since Jim Cassidy back in 1987.
However, McDonald’s feat carries added weight because each of his six triumphs came in Group or Listed contests.
McDonald steered Joliestar to victory in the Canterbury Stakes while also succeeding on Generosity in the Challenge Stakes, Pinito in the Aspiration Quality, Beadman in the Fireball Stakes and Chayan in the Reisling Stakes.
“I knew I had a proper book of rides. I thought every single one was capable of winning with a bit of luck,” McDonald said.
“But it was one of those days where everything just falls into place. If you get that luck, it just snowballs.
“You can feel them running well and you’re feeling good on top of them and things just worked out that way.
“I did ride six winners in New Zealand once (2010) but this is the first time I’ve done it in Sydney.”
The day belonged entirely to McDonald, even though he faced a careless riding ban for interfering with Hidrix during the Todman Stakes.
After pleading guilty, Racing NSW stewards imposed a four-meeting ban commencing Sunday, leaving him available for the Coolmore Classic next Saturday.
Gangsta Granny ($2.80), prepared by Team Hawkes, displayed her superiority and concluded McDonald’s history-making afternoon with a convincing three-quarter length success over Cosmonova ($41), while Asgarda ($81) finished a neck further back in third.
“I thought she looked pretty well placed today even with the 58kgs,” McDonald said.
“She is a class mare and did run Autumn Glow to half a length.”
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes feels the skilled mare Gangsta Granny has “gone to another level” this preparation, boosting her tally to five victories (plus five placings) from 10 outings.
“Her trials have been outstanding, she has come back with a bang,” Hawkes said.
“It was a nice race that we picked for her. We thought it was an easier race, albeit she had to carry the weight, but she is a class mare.
“She has always been strong, she has always been that sort of mare but you just want these good horses to come back to the next level, which she has.”
Hawkes noted that a primary aim for Gangsta Granny this autumn remains undecided.
“She can go anyway,” Hawkes said.
“The improvement she has taken, they’ve run good time, it’s only first-up and she carried a big weight. Her day will come and hopefully we can get to the top of the tree.”
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