McDonald all fired up for Derby Day

Melbourne, Australia: Godolphin jockey James McDonald has his work cut out for him on Saturday when he will saddle up in all nine races that encompass a glittering card on Flemington’s Derby Day, one of the finest day’s racing anywhere in the world.

All races carry Group status with the highlight being the A$1.5 million Group 1 Victoria Derby over 2,500 metres.

McDonald partners the John O’Shea-trained Etymology, an exciting colt he chose in favour of the Godolphin handler’s second runner Shards, who finished a noteworthy runner-up to Derby favourite Tarzino at Moonee Valley last week.

“I opted for Etymology because I was very pleased with his performance at Caulfied where he ran on strongly to finish a good third,” he said.

“He’s a horse who can handle the Derby distance and it looks like a perfect race for him.”

Etymology, who is a son of Darley stallion New Approach, won his maiden last September and has progressed nicely over the Winter months in Australia.

A field of 16 will face the starter in the race which starts at 8.50am (UAE time).

However, McDonald singled out Exosphere, who runs in the A$500,00 Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1,200 metres, as his best chance on the day.

“I’m really looking forward to getting on top of him as he’s a very exciting horse,” he said. “He gives you such a great feel when you ride him.”

O’Shea also saddles Mogador, the mount of Craig Williams, and the Godolphin duo face ten rivals including the David Hayes-trained Keen Array and Michael Freedman’s Super One, each a four-time winner.

Another horse who Godolphin are hoping will bounce back to his Autumn form chance is Contributor, who lines up in the A$1million Group 1 MacKinnon Stakes over 2,000 metres.

“We felt that the very fast track at Caulfield last time [when 5th in the Caulfield Stakes] was against him,” said McDonald.

“Being from the UK, he prefers to have just a little give underfoot, and he didn’t get that at Caulfield. He is a multiple G1 winner, so he has a lot going for him,” the jockey said.

O’Shea also saddles two-time winner Magic Hurricane in the same race.

Meanwhile, Saeed Bin Surour, Godolphin’s principal handler in the UK and Dubai, sends out Melbourne Cup hopeful Elhaame to contest the Group 3 Lexus Stakes over 2,500 metres.

Brad Rawiller rides the six-year-old who can secure a start in the Cup by winning Saturday’s contest.

“He has really thrived since arriving in Australia, he really likes it out here and that’s a good sign,” said the Emirati. “He even looks a lot better than he did at Newmarket and we’re hoping he runs a big race on Saturday.”

Bin Surour dismissed the notion that backing by Elaame, should he win, will not be such a bad thing.

“He’s a really tough horse, horses’ like him can handle two races within a short time,” he said. “It may sound like a bit of a challenge but he’s in great shape and we believe that he can take it in his stride.”

McDonald rides Havana Cooler in the same race and Ambience in the Group 1 Wakeful Stakes, which is a prep for next week’s VRC Oaks.