Chris Waller and James McDonald have Group 1 records in sight
Chris Waller and James McDonald will combine in the Doomben Cup as the pair strive to set national Group 1 records for a season that may never be broken.
Horse Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller and champion jockey James McDonald are poised to set national Group 1 records this season that could stand the test of time.
Waller will break his own record of 18 Group 1 wins in a season if either Lindermann, Militarize, Kovalica or Osipenko can win the Group 1 $1m Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday.
The final field for the Doomben Cup was declared on Tuesday with early TAB Fixed Odds betting rating Lindermann at $13, Militarize $15, and Kovalica and Osipenko both at $18.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Reigning Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni and local star Antino are equal favourites at $3.50 with Fawkner Park ($7) and Eliyass ($8) the only other runners under double-figure odds.
McDonald will join forces with Waller for the Doomben Cup and is believed to be riding either Militarize or Kovalica, and if successful it will be the jockey’s career-best 15th Australian Group 1 win for the season.
• Lady Shenandoah or Autumn Glow? Even the bookies can’t decide
The all-time national riding record was set by “Miracle” Mal Johnston with 16 Group 1 wins in the 1979-80 season including six majors on the mighty Kingston Town, four with Mighty Kingdom and two each with Imposing, Iko and Lowan Star.
The only other jockey to ride more than 14 Group 1 winners in a season was the late George Moore with 15 majors in 1957-58 including seven on the great Tulloch.
Waller and McDonald’s potentially record-breaking 2024-25 season has been helped by having champion mare Via Sistina at the peak of her powers.
Via Sistina has won seven Group 1 races this season, five with McDonald in the saddle.
When Waller set his Australian record of 18 Group 1 wins in 2018-19, he was helped by another mighty mare, the incomparable Winx, who also netted seven majors that season.
• Paris slots in for The Everest as Ka Ying Rising deal nears
The only other trainers to prepare more than 14 Group 1 wins in a season were the legendary duo of Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings.
Smith had a stable full of champions in 1979-80 when he trained 17 Group 1 winners including Hall of Famer Kingston Town and the outstanding Mighty Kingdom.
Cummings’ best season was in 1974-75 when he trained 16 Group 1 winners from 10 individual horses including champion mare Leilani with four majors.
There are seven Group 1 races left to be won including the Doomben Cup this season and although there were fewer majors when Smith, Cummings, Johnston and Moore were dominating Australian racing, Waller and McDonald have had such stellar seasons they could set records that will be difficult to match or break for many years.
Originally published as Chris Waller and James McDonald have Group 1 records in sight
Warwick Farm preview: Title fire still burns bright for Roper
Following a delayed start to the season, apprentice Anna Roper is making the most of her opportunities and is looking to hit the target with a strong book of rides at Warwick Farm.
Crowther targets return to saddle from nasty injury
South Australian jockey Kayla Crowther has recounted how she broke her collarbone in a mounting yard mishap last month as she eyes a return to the saddle soon.