James McDonald doesn’t waste time returning to the winner’s enclosure after Christmas break
With a birthday around the corner and about to become the youngest jockey inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame, James McDonald wasn’t walking off the racetrack winless.
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Champion jockey James McDonald regained the Sydney premiership lead when Discharged turned imminent defeat into an improbable win at Randwick’s Kensington meeting.
Geo had ranged up and headed Discharged inside the 200m of Saturday’s Sky Racing Active Handicap (1300m) and McDonald said he was about to concede defeat.
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But Discharged was up for the fight, surging back at Geo to edge out his rival in the tightest of finishes.
McDonald had spent two weeks back home in New Zealand on a “working holiday” over the Christmas-New Year period and, in his absence, Nash Rawiller took over at the top of the Sydney jockeys’ premiership.
But McDonald returned to Sydney racing with a winning brace at Canterbury on Friday night and backed that up with his success on Discharged, ironically at the expense of the Rawiller-ridden Geo, to reclaim the Sydney premiership lead.
With more than six months of the season remaining, McDonald isn’t talking about defending his premiership title just yet.
McDonald, who turns 27 on Monday, is now rated among the nation’s top three riders and will be the youngest jockey inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame when he receives that honour in May.
“It is very humbling to get into the Hall of Fame but hopefully I have a lot more to achieve as a jockey,’’ he said.
McDonald has already achieved so much in the sport, riding almost 1500 winners including 44 at Group 1 level and three Sydney premierships.
The Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott-trained Discharged ($3.90 favourite) shouldered 60kg for the brave win over Geo ($5.50) with Satin Socks ($4.80) just over a length away third.
“I thought the other horse (Geo) might have got a long head in front of us,’’ McDonald said.
“But my horse, once he was challenged, fought back very hard like most of the Waterhouse-Bott horses do.
“It was a very good effort to win given he had 60kg and I had to make some use of him early to get across. He will be better over further, too.’’
The weather was uncomfortably hot at Randwick though McDonald wasn’t complaining given the extreme temperatures in the western suburbs with the mercury hitting 48C at Penrith, and the worsening bushfire crisis in NSW and Victoria.
McDonald said the bushfires were making headlines in New Zealand.
“It’s big news,’’ he said. “There has been a lot of smoke and ash from the bushfires drifting over New Zealand.’’
Meanwhile, William Inglis has provided stables for 60 thoroughbreds at its Warwick Farm Riverside complex that have been transferred from bushfire-threatened regions near Berry.
The horses, mainly trained by Chris Waller, were moved into Riverside on Friday and will remain at the Inglis stables until at least Tuesday, maybe longer, depending on the bushfire situation in that region.
“What is happening down the NSW south coast, Victoria, South Australia and other regions of the nation with the bushfires is terrifying and heartbreaking,’’ said Jonathan D’Arcy, Inglis’ general manager of bloodstock operations and international development.
“We were more than happy to accommodate these horses and any others that need help while these fires continue to burn.
“The entire nation is banding together to do anything they can to help those in need and we just hope and pray conditions improve soon for all those affected.’’
DEBUTANTE PHILIZZY TO BYPASS MM
Trainer Anthony Cummings is prepared to bypass the Magic Millions to try to win the Golden Slipper with Philizzy, an impressive debut winner at Randwick’s Kensington meeting.
Philizzy came from near last on the turn to run down Osamu in a thrilling finish to the opener, the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1150m).
TAB Fixed Odds price assessors immediately installed Philizzy at $15 for the $2 million Magic Million 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast next Saturday but Cummings virtually ruled out a quick back-up.
“She is in the Magic Millions but I’m not sure I want to take that trip right now,’’ Cummings said.
“I am more inclined to wait and get her ready for the Golden Slipper.
“We had her in at the Gold Coast (Saturday) and the risk coming here was winning would be line ball (Magic Millions start).
“But if we look after her then we know she is a filly with a lot of talent and she is going to be a lot of fun for her owners in the next two years.’’
Philizzy ($6), well ridden by Christian Reith, reeled in Osamu ($4.80) right on the line with Remorseless ($5.50) two lengths away third.
Hinchbeast ($2.70 favourite) seemed to have every chance before finishing a disappointing fifth.
Reith rode Philizzy conservatively from her wide barrier yesterday but said the filly had the tactical speed to settle a lot closer to the lead if necessary.
“If she drew a gate, we would have raced up on the speed and won quite easily,’’ Reith said.
“But she had to make a long run from the back so it was a very good effort to win.’’
Cummings bought Philizzy, a daughter of super sire Snitzel, for $340,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sales last year, revealing he took one look at the filly and decided he had to buy her.
“When you have been doing it for so long and seen so many, when the nice ones come along it is like turning a light on, it’s that easy,’’ he said.
“She is a very nice filly who has well and truly got more to offer.’’
Osamu, a $1.7 million yearling also having his first race start, was given every chance by jockey James McDonald and looked ready to score when he cruised up to the leaders at the 250m.
But just as Osamu broke clear of the chasing pack, Philizzy unleashed from the back.
RANDWICK TAB BIG BETS
RACE ONE
Philizzy ($6) landed some good bets in taking out the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1150m).
The Anthony Cummings-trained runner was kept safe in betting and hovered around the $6 mark for most of the day, peaking at $7 in the morning.
Hinchbeast ($3.40-$4.20) was the most popular runner in terms of money with the runner-up Osamu ($4.80), and $11 chance on Wednesday, the next best.
BETS: Philizzy $1500 e/w @ $6.50/$2.10, $1000 @ $6 TWICE
BETS: Hinchbeast $1000 @ $3.80
BETS: Osamu $2000 @ $4.80
BETS: Remorseless $1000 @ $5.50
RACE TWO
In a very open edition of the TAB Highway Handicap (1400m).
Although saluting at $23 on TAB Fixed Odds, Denmiss had been specked throughout the day with its price fluctuating between $26-$21 on the day.
Jawwaal ($4.80) went around as favourite and held the most money while there was also strong support for Greenspan ($9.50-$7) and Irish Songs ($5).
BETS: Irish Songs $2500 @ $5, $2000 e/w @ $4.60/$1.95
BETS: Jawwaal $1000 @ $4.20
BETS: Greenspan $3000 @ $7.50, $1000 @ $7.50
RACE THREE
The money was spot on for the running of the SKY Racing Active Handicap (1300m).
Discharged ($3.90) went around as the second most popular runner behind Geo ($5.50) while Satin Socks, which rounded out the trifecta, also had plenty of admirers after going $11-$4.80 throughout the week.
BETS: Arousal $1700 @ $4.20, $1500 @ $4.20, $1250 @ $4.20
BETS: Geo $3,000 @ $5, $1100 @ $4.20
BETS: Discharged $2000 @ $3.90, $1500 @ $3.90
RACE FOUR
Lashes defied the drift to knock off the hot favourite in the Schweppes Handicap (1100m).
Lashes went around with a fifth of the money that Adelong ($2.10-$1.85), going $3.10 to $3.90 on the day.
Adelong was one of the better supported runners on the program and went around with nearly 60 per cent of the money.
BETS: Adelong $5600 @ $1.95, $2,500 @ $1.95, $2050 @ $1.95, $2000 @ $1.95, $5000 @ $1.90 TWICE, $4500 @ $1.90, $3000 @ $1.90, $2500 @ $1.90 TWICE, $2000 @ $1.90, $3,000 @ $1.85,
BETS: Lashes $1,500 @ $3.90, $2,000 @ $3.70
BETS: Enfleurage $1,250 @ $9
RACE FIVE
TAB punters were on the money in the TAB Handicap (2400m) with the move for Dark Pearl paying dividends.
Dark Pearl went $8.50-$6.50 on the day and was one of the most popular runners in terms of money taken, with only Guise ($3.80-$5) and Quality Seeker ($4.80-$3.80) responsible for more.
BETS: Dark Pearl $1750 @ $7, $1000 e/w @ $7/$2.20, $1000 @ $7
BETS: Quality Seeker $1000 @ $4, $1000 @ $3.90, $1500 @ $3.80, $1180 @ $3.80, $1000 @ $3.80
RACE SIX
Team Snowden continued their recent good run with Jen Rules ($4.20) getting the cash in the Ranvet Handicap (1300m).
Ridden by Christian Reith, Jen Rules hovered around the $4.20-$4.40 mark for most of the day and attracted good money. In fact, she was the second most popular runner in the race behind Hes A Hotshot ($3.30-$2.70-$3.10).
There was a move early this morning for Celer ($7.50-$4.60-$5) but that money dried up in the afternoon.
BETS: Jen Rules $4000 e/w @ $4.60/$1.80
BETS: Hes A Hotshot $1300 @ $3.20
BETS: Celer $2000 e/w @ $5/$1.75, $2000 @ $5
BETS: Think Free $2000 @ $5
RACE SEVEN
The Maroubra Handicap (1550m) proved to be the most competitive betting affair on the Randwick card.
every one of the seven runners came in for some sort of decent backing.
Mushaireb, despite drifting from $3-$3.60, went around holding the most in front of Roman Son ($7.50), Reflectivity ($3.70) and New Universe ($5.50).
BETS: Mushaireb $2100 @ $3.60, $1500 @ $3.60
BETS: Sir Plush $2000 @ $5
RACE EIGHT
Word For Word was very costly again for its backers.
The Chris Waller runner was heavily tried in the Bisley Workwear Handicap (1550m) as it has been at its past two starts, however, it was another placing.
Word For Word went around with 65 per cent of the market and was a dominant $1.80 favourite.
The winner was Mercurial Lad ($51), the rank outsider, which went around with the least amount of money.
BETS: Word For Word $4000 @ $1.80, $3,000 @ $1.80 TWICE, $2500 @ $1.80, $2000 @ $1.80, $3000 @ $1.75, $1500 @ $1.75 MULTIPLE TIMES, $6000 @ $1.65
RACE NINE
Rare Episode was a late firmer in the Heineken 3 Handicap (1000m).
Getting out to $5 at one point during the day, constant specking for the Brad Widdup runner saw it firm into $4.20 at the jump, putting it on the third line of betting behind Royal Witness ($3.80) and November Man ($4.80).
Sophiella ($7) was the other one that TAB customers were willing to back, enticed by the eachway odds.
Bets: N/A