James McDonald’s coolness in the face of the unexpected helped him get Shez Sinsational home in Wednesday’s Auckland Cup at Ellerslie.
McDonald’s saddle broke just before the start, delaying the race by eight minutes, but he kept focused and rode the mare well, getting her through a rough patch 600m from home to outlast former Wellington Cup winner Spiro.
The victory in the 3200m contest was her third at Group One level and qualifies her for the Melbourne Cup, one of trainer Allan Sharrock’s main goals from the race.
McDonald, who won the New Zealand Derby on Silent Achiever on Saturday, said the pre-race drama, which required a trip back to the stands to weigh in again, was a surprise.
“It had to be in this of all races. I’ve had that saddle my whole career. It was unbelievable,” he said.
“But it didn’t really worry me. I still had a job to do in front of me. It just interrupted things a little bit.
“You’ve got to deal with it and not panic. They weren’t going to race without us.”
McDonald said he was more concerned 600m from home, when his mare required hard riding to keep up as she was about eight lengths from the leaders.
“I wasn’t happy with how she was going, but I knew once she gets clear air she really lets down.”
Sharrock, who was a little uncertain how the mare would handle the track with a shower just before the track, said the Melbourne Cup in November was still in his mind.
“That’s part of our thinking but I’ve even thrown in a nom in for the Singapore Cup,” Sharrock said.
“We’ll take her home first and have a look at her.”
Spiro was conceding Shez Sinsational 2.5kg but pushed her hard and went under by just a long head.
Six O’Clock News was a gallant third under topweight of 59kg, half a length ahead of Booming.
