J-Mac wins on first four rides at the Sunshine Coast

McDonald and wife Katie welcomed their second daughter, Mia, into the world during the week and backed it up with riding winners on his first four rides on Saturday.

James McDonald rides Althoff to victory. Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography.

James McDonald sets the bar at a high level, but the champion jockey has had a baby bounce after putting on a riding clinic at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

McDonald and wife Katie welcomed their second daughter, Mia, into the world during the week and backed it up with riding winners on his first four rides.

While many were left looking for the best ground on a sodden Sunshine Coast track, McDonald was first in, best dressed landing blows with Pereille (Benchmark 85), Thalassophile (Silk Stocking), Althoff (Ken Russell Memorial Classic) and Corniche (Gold Coast Guineas) to leave his rivals reeling.

UP GOES CORNICHE!

The @godolphin colt rallies late to claim a tiring Cifrado to give @mcacajamez four winners on the card 🔥 @SCTurfClubpic.twitter.com/KTglonGWBN

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) May 11, 2024

It marked his ninth winner in seven days, with the Sydney-based star confirming he will be in Queensland every Saturday for the rest of the carnival.

“It is a matter of how the horses are travelling really, it makes it easier when you have a horse that can get to the spots on the track,” McDonald said.

“Because of the grass cover, it is so good and it is helping the horses, if it was loose, it’d be a disaster.

Well @cwallerracing and @mcacajamez are having a day out today, winning the G3 TAB Ken Russell Memorial Classic with Althoff - and it’s @SCTurfClub trebles for both trainer and jockey! pic.twitter.com/vzZmDXYBaQ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 11, 2024

“The root system here must be brilliant, you want to find the crown, that’s no secret but it does help you out.”

It was Althoff who came forward as yet another BRC Sires’ Produce prospect for Waller, with the colt set to push on to the $1m 2YO feature in a fortnight’s time.

“He’s a real professional horse,” McDonald said.

“He’s got a beautiful action. He got through the ground OK because he’s obviously won, but dare I say he’s got a real fluent action so anything on top of the ground will be up his alley.

“But he’s a very talented horse, very well educated and he did everything well today.”

J-Mac couldn’t make it a clean sweep with his fifth and final ride, Firestorm, finishing down the track.

Originally published as J-Mac wins on first four rides at the Sunshine Coast