Champion hoop James McDonald is poised for a lucrative Magic Millions day at the Gold Coast before he returns to Sydney to concentrate on the upcoming autumn carnival.
McDonald routinely demands outstanding books of rides, but he has an especially strong hand at Thursday’s rescheduled meeting where he partners favourites in four of the eight races, including Empire Of Japan in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m).
His remaining mounts are all on the second or third line of betting with Big Boy Roy, a $6.50 chance for the Magic Millions Subzero (2200m), the outsider of his eight-strong book.
Three of McDonald’s rides are for Peter and Paul Snowden, including Empire Of Japan, the Breeders’ Plate winner who was doing his best work late when resuming with a third to Fire Lane at Randwick on Christmas Eve.
“He looks the part, he’s got a great demeanour, a proper colt demeanour and he’s a pretty good horse,” McDonald told Sky Sports radio.
“What he did in the Breeders Plate was fantastic. He backed it up on dry ground (last start) and was super running very quick sectionals from back in the race and probably needing the run.
“The Snowdens being the Snowdens, they will be peaking him for the right day and I’ll be very surprised if he’s not fighting out the finish.”
McDonald links with stablemate Russian Conquest in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1425m), the filly looking to go one better than her second to Coolangatta in the Classic on the corresponding program 12 months ago.
It was McDonald aboard Coolangatta who denied her, but he is confident Russian Conquest can make amends on Thursday, provided the track improves from its heavy rating.
“She is the one to beat if there is dry conditions,” he said.
Russian Conquest is currently on the second line of betting behind Yellow Brick, while McDonald partners the market leaders in the Magic Millions Snippets (King Of Sparta), QTIS Open (Alpine Edge) and Cup (Oscar Zulu).
He will be back in Sydney on Saturday where his mounts include Nicolini Vito for Ben and JD Hayes in the Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.