Eagle Farm: James McDonald prepares for Royal Ascot assignment with winning treble

James McDonald will head to Royal Ascot full of confidence after a day out at Eagle Farm after he brought up his 100th Sydney earlier in the week.

Kiku wins the Magic Millions National Classic to give James McDonald a treble at Eagle Farm. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside photography

Champion jockey James McDonald warmed up for his looming mission in front of The Queen at Royal Ascot by having a big Brisbane day out as he scored an Eagle Farm treble.

McDonald will fly directly out of Brisbane bound for London after next Saturday’s Group 1 Stradbroke where he will ride Laws Of Indices for Annabel Neasham.

Glory on the world stage could await with both Nature Strip and Home Affairs.

But first things first and, only days after bringing up his 100th Sydney winner for the season, the star hoop was on fire at Eagle Farm.

.@cwallerracing and @mcacajamez strike again, this this time with Kiku who breaks a 415 day drought. 🤝 @BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/4WffuCUQze

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 4, 2022

And it was on Queensland Oaks day, which is a day close to McDonald’s heart given he scored his first Aussie Group 1 with Scarlett Lady on the same day 11 years earlier.

On Saturday, McDonald won on Political Debate (The Phoenix), Francesco Guardi (race 2) and led home a Chris Waller first four when winning on Kiku in the $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic.

Kiku’s win – followed home by Waller’s girls Nudge, Atishu and Our Intrigue – gave Waller a strong hand in the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm in three weeks.

McDonald gave Kiku a sweet ride from the inside gate but the star hoop was wishing he had similar luck earlier in the winter carnival when he finished third on Caboche in the Group 1 Queensland Derby.

James McDonald won aboard Political Debate earlier in the meeting. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography

“Without doubt the barrier (one) assisted us here,” McDonald said.

“It allowed us to improve, improve (and) I wish I had the same run in the Derby.

“It might have been a different result.”

After Kiku’s win, Waller said it was likely he would split his first four in the race for their next assignments.

“James McDonald, it was good a ride and he saved a bit of ground,” Waller said.

“I think a couple of them will freshen up and go to the Tatts Tiara … for the 1400m they’ll need to be fresh.

“I think there is a 2100m Listed race that day so we might take two to that race and two to the Tatts Tiara.”

Originally published as Eagle Farm: James McDonald prepares for Royal Ascot assignment with winning treble