Record-breaking New Zealand apprentice James McDonald’s book for a much-anticipated Randwick cameo has more than doubled.
McDonald, lured to ride in Sydney on Saturday by Randwick trainer John O’Shea to fill a jockeys’ room void, has mounts in seven of the eight races.
He was originally booked to ride three horses – Kiss `N Chase, Vantage Point and Cantonese – for O’Shea.
Well-known Sydney jockeys’ agent Bryan Haskins has been instrumental in helping McDonald almost fill his Randwick book.
“I helped him out with rides when he came over as a guest of Hawkesbury,” Haskins, who manages leading jockey Hugh Bowman, said.
“He is a great talent who would hold his own anywhere he rides.”
The Anthony Cummings-trained Gybe is among the pick of McDonald’s extra rides.
Gybe will be chasing a hat-trick of city wins after scoring at Randwick and Rosehill.
McDonald’s other mounts include veteran stayer Get Up Jude, Dunrossil for the Hawkes family and last-start bush two-year-old winner Skip Town for Rosehill trainer Tim Martin.
The 19-year-old, who won the recent Queensland Oaks on Scarlett Lady, rewrote New Zealand racing’s record books last week.
He became the first Kiwi jockey to ride 200 winners in a New Zealand season.
AAP TURF
