James McDonald booked for G1 ride

James McDonald has been booked to ride the Matthew Dunn trained Care To Think in the Kingsford Smith Cup (Group 1) at Doomben next Saturday.

James McDonald returned to racing at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

The pin up jockey was riding at his first meeting since November 5, 2016, after being found guilty of illegally placing a $1000 bet on a horse he was riding.

Eighteen months of watching the races from the sideline was quickly erased when he lifted $1.75 favourite Cormac over the line in his first race back to beat stablemate Smiling Manolito by a half head.

McDonald well and truly confirmed he was still a jockey to be reckoned with his ride on $8.50 chance Monasterio in a Benchmark 80 Handicap (1600m) later in the program.

He rode the four-year-old patiently from the rear of the field and then stormed home to win. A winning double was the result of his first day back in the saddle.

WINNO spoke to part owners of Care To Think Blair “Gibbo” Gibson and Damien “No Show at the Races” Quinn this morning to confirm that booking next weekend.

“He is on – it is very exciting” Quinn said … with Gibbo telling WINNO, “I think in the Stradbrokehe has 52.5 … so hopefully no more than 54 but he might starve to stay on”.

If there was ever an incentive for Jay Mac to start wasting it may be the time because Care To Think looks a ready made chance for the Stradbroke.