James McDonald speaks candidly about riding the sport’s best two horses Romantic Warrior and Via Sistina

Champion jockey James McDonald speaks candidly about the privilege of riding thoroughbred racing’s two pin-up horses in Via Sistina and Romantic Warrior.

James McDonald is gearing up for a bumper spring aboard mighty mare Via Sistina Picture: Getty Images

CHAMPION jockey James McDonald has deftly avoided answering who he would choose to ride if superstars Romantic Warrior and Via Sistina were ever to clash.

“It’s a good question and one I don’t really want to answer,’’ McDonald said.

“They are equally as good, they are both sensational racehorses.

“To be riding arguably the two best turf horses in the world is something special.

“For them not to clash saves me a huge headache.’’

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Romantic Warrior, the highest prizemoney earner in world racing history, scored his 10th Group 1 when he smashed the Meydan track record to win the Jebel Hatta in Dubai on Saturday morning.

The Hong Kong champion is remaining in the Middle East but his race program schedule enables McDonald to be back in Sydney when Via Sistina runs during the autumn carnival.

Via Sistina, winner of four Group 1 races last spring including the Cox Plate by eight lengths in track record time and the Champions Stakes, is due to resume in the Group 2 $300,000 Apollo Stakes (1500m) at Royal Randwick on February 15.

Chris Waller’s champion mare is set for a four-start autumn campaign with her main target the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.

Fortunately for McDonald, Romantic Warrior’s race schedule doesn’t clash with Via Sistina’s likely campaign which also includes the Group 1 $1 million Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on March 1 and the Group 1 $1 million Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.

Romantic Warrior heads to Saudi Arabia next for the world’s richest horse race, the Group 1 $30 million Saudi Cup (1800m) on February 22 before the horse returns to the United Arab Emirates for either the $20 million Dubai World Cup (2000m) or the Group 1 $8 million Dubai Turf (1800m) on April 5.

The time difference means McDonald won’t be able to ride on Doncaster-Derby Day which is Day One of The Championships at Royal Randwick on April 5 – or does it?

“These sacrifices come and you have to make decisions,’’ McDonald said during an exclusive Sky Thoroughbred Central interview.

James McDonald rides Romantic Warrior to group 1 glory in Dubai on Saturday

“But we are still working out the logistics of that. I’m not too sure whether I can fulfil a few of the engagements on the day (Royal Randwick, April 5) and still get across (to Dubai).

“I’m just going to work through that as it comes - sometimes, where there is a will, there is a way.’’

McDonald, who flew back into Sydney on Sunday and has seven rides at Monday’s Warwick Farm meeting, admitted he is unsure how Romantic Warrior will handle a dirt track in the Saudi Cup next start.

“One thing in his favour is he is a very honest horse and has a great racing style, he is as tough as they come,’’ he said.

“There are a few attributes (you need) to take into a dirt meeting as he will be up on speed but it will be a different type of pressure taking on some of the world’s best (dirt) horses.’’

But what McDonald is certain of is that Via Sistina is ready to pick up in autumn where she left off last spring.

“Via Sistina is coming up in tremendous order,’’ McDonald said.

“She’s looks such a brute at the moment, she is striding out ears pricked and loving life, and that’s what she was like in the springtime as well.

“Hopefully, she has come back in great order and all the indications are she has – it’s going to take an extremely good horse to beat her.’’

Originally published as James McDonald speaks candidly about riding the sport’s best two horses Romantic Warrior and Via Sistina