The jockey who inflicted defeat on Japanese star To The World will team up with the overseas raiders in an attempt to land a historic win in the Doncaster Mile.
James McDonald was the architect of To The World’s BMW defeat, upstaging the highly rated stayer with victory aboard Godolphin horse Hartnell.
Real Impact
But he will be with Japan in Saturday’s $3 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick when he reunites with Real Impact.
The seven-year-old was regarded as the outsider of Japan’s two George Ryder Stakes runners but proved superior on the day when he led for a narrow victory.
He came from an outside gate and faces a similar challenge in the Doncaster after coming up with barrier 21.
If anything, McDonald sees the draw as an advantage.
“If I was inside 10 it would have been a lot worse,” McDonald said.
“I’m in a great gate out there. I can do what I want. He’s not the best beginner so if I can just keep him happy it will be to his benefit.”
It is little wonder McDonald is unfazed by the challenge of a wide Doncaster draw.
The jockey is riding high on confidence after enjoying his best afternoon on a Sydney racetrack last Saturday with five winners.
Japan’s stayers are proven to be among the most accomplished in the world and a first Doncaster victory by a Japanese-trained horse would put their milers in a similar bracket.
Real Impact will be one of two runners for Japan along with World Ace who will be ridden by Nick Hall.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy will be among those hoping to stop the Doncaster trophy going overseas.
Fresh from a winning double on the BMW program, McEvoy has picked up the ride on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Pornichet.
Group One placed over a mile in France, Pornichet heads to the Doncaster on a seven-day back-up and at $8 is regarded as one of the best Australian chances.
“He’s a nice lightweight chance coming off a pretty blistering win in the Neville Sellwood,” McEvoy said.
“I saw him (Wednesday) morning and he looks in really good order since his win.
“He’s a horse that handles a bit of sting out of the ground and I can see him running really well.”
In an open race, Hallowed Crown heads markets at $4.60 with Real Impact at $7 sharing the second line of betting with second emergency Kermadec.
