James McDonald reveals passion for Melbourne’s time-honoured races as he closes in on Group 1 century

If James McDonald is unable to claim his 100th Group 1 in the Cox Plate, there are a few more of his favourite races coming up in Melbourne for him to do so.

The classics matter most to star jockey James McDonald as he closes in on his 100th Group 1 win.

McDonald will ride Via Sistina in his latest bid to notch a century of Group 1 wins in the Cox Plate at The Valley.

The NZ-born riding great has won the last two Cox Plates on Anamoe and Romantic Warrior and would dearly love to win a third edition of Australia’s weight-for-age championship.

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If Via Sistina is unable to get the job done in the Cox Plate, there are a few more of McDonald’s favourite races coming up at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.

“I love tradition,” McDonald said.

“I’m actually a huge fan of it and very passionate about it.

“I would love to win a Derby and Oaks again, they are my favourite two races.

“I’m just a huge fan of classic races.

“I’ve just got a huge soft spot for the VRC Derby and VRC Oaks and the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.”

James McDonald is on the verge of his 100th Group 1 win. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

• Early Oil: Cox Plate day tips

However, Via Sistina’s trainer Chris Waller reported on Thursday the multiple Group 1 winner recovered well from her unscheduled exertions after she returned The Valley on Thursday.

Despite Tuesday’s mishap, McDonald said Via Sistina would bring a strong formline to the Cox Plate after her last-start win in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

Winx won the Turnbull Stakes on the way to the last two of her four Cox Plate wins in 2017 and 2018 while Romantic Warrior ran fourth in the Turnbull Stakes before last year’s success.

McDonald was part of this year’s instalment of the annual Cox Plate drama after he parted company with Via Sistina before galloping three laps of The Valley at Tuesday’s ‘Breakfast With the Best’ trackwork.

VIA SISTINA BACK TO HER BEST! 🔥

CHRIS WALLER QUINELLAS THE TURNBULL STAKES!@cwallerracing@[e-mail]/6sKXhFjLvD

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 5, 2024

• Melbourne Cup dreams on line for seven runners at The Valley

McDonald was happy to see Duke De Sessa and Buckaroo quinella last Saturday’s Caulfield Cup after finishing behind Via Sistina in the Turnbull Stakes.

“The form out of the Turnbull is brilliant,” McDonald said.

“She was as strong as an ox late if anything in the Turnbull.”

Ladbrokes customers have been keen to put aside Tuesday’s drama, backing Via Sistina from $5.50 to $4 in Cox Plate betting.

McDonald rated the $3.80 Prognosis and classy three-year-old Broadsiding as tough opposition in what should be a tough contest.

“It’s a fascinating race,” McDonald said.

Originally published as James McDonald reveals passion for Melbourne’s time-honoured races as he closes in on Group 1 century