James McDonald, Chris Waller chasing Thousand Guineas three-peat with Aeliana

Champion jockey James McDonald is confident he can crown a record-breaking spring carnival by netting another Group 1 win on promising filly Aeliana at Caulfield on Saturday.

James McDonald comes back to scale aboard Aeliana after winning the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington on November 2. Picture: George Sal / Racing Photos

Champion jockey James McDonald is confident he can crown a record-breaking spring carnival by netting another Group 1 win on promising filly Aeliana in the $1.5 million Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

McDonald, who leaves for Hong Kong after the Caulfield meeting but is planning to ride in Perth next week before returning to Sydney prior to the Magic Millions in January, is chasing his seventh major of the season on the Chris Waller-trained Aeliana.

An impressive last start winner of the Carbine Club Stakes, Aeliana is the $3.40 favourite in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting to give McDonald and Waller their third successive Thousand Guineas after wins with Joliestar (2023) and Madame Pommery (2022).

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“Aeliana looks like she is going really well,’’ McDonald said.

“This is an even sort of race with only two real form-lines through the Carbine Club Stakes and The Vanity, and one out of the Moonee Valley Classic.

“Of all these fillies, I know Aeliana will run a strong mile (a1600m) but there is a question mark on some of the others.

“I would have loved my filly to have drawn a better barrier (11) but she is in with a good shot.’’

Aeliana was among McDonald’s record haul of 11 winners during Cup Week at Flemington which included four Group 1 wins – Via Sistina (Champions Stakes), Sunshine In Paris (Champions Sprint), Switzerland (Coolmore Stud Stakes) and Atishu (Empire Rose Stakes).

It's the perfect start for @mcacajamez 🌟

He opens his 2024 #MelbCupCarnival account with victory in the Channel 9 Carbine Club Stakes atop AELIANA.

🎥 @wwos | #DerbyDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/A1QxokXq3u

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 2, 2024

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“The spring didn’t start out too well for me, it could have been a disaster, but it turned out to be a sensational few weeks,’’ McDonald said.

“Switzerland was the highlight for me, but Via Sistina was absolutely phenomenal and Sunshine In Paris was the icing on the cake.

“To get those two Group 1 wins on the last day of the Flemington carnival was outstanding.’’

McDonald set a riding record with 11 wins during Cup Week, setting the new standard in the final race on Godolphin’s Pisanello.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a reception like it after the last race on Pisanello,’’ McDonald said.

“The crowd during Cup Week was young and vibrant, it was incredible, and to get the record in the last race of the day, the last race of the carnival, it was a special feeling.’’

McDonald leaves for a six-week stint in Hong Kong on Saturday night and will ride champion Romantic Warrior in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

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“I can’t wait to get back on Romantic Warrior,’’ McDonald said. “From all reports, he is working and trialling well.’’

McDonald has won seven Group 1 races on Romantic Warrior including the Cox Plate, Hong Kong’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Japan’s Yasuda Kinen last season.

“Romantic Warrior is a great horse and hopefully he can get his campaign off to a winning start,’’ McDonald said.

“I’ve got 10 nice rides at Sha Tin on Sunday and I’m looking to ‘nail’ a winner or two and kick off the Hong Kong stint in good style.’’

McDonald, who has ridden 45 Sydney winners so far this season and leads the premiership by 23 wins, has been booked to ride Light Infantry Man in the Group 1 $1.5 million Railway Stakes at Ascot next Saturday.

Originally published as James McDonald, Chris Waller chasing Thousand Guineas three-peat with Aeliana