James McDonald’s quest to win the Sydney jockeys’ premiership appeared a laydown misere a few weeks ago but there is a sense of nervousness following his winless afternoon at Canterbury.
The star jockey is stranded on 69 wins, one shy of leader Nash Rawiller who has not ridden in Sydney since he left to take up a riding contract in Japan on June 25.
“It’s up in the air at the moment,” McDonald said.
McDonald has just two more city meetings to reel in Rawiller in what has developed into a thrilling finish to the championship title.
The last time two jockeys tied for the Sydney premiership was 79 years ago in 1934-35.
There remains some uncertainty over whether Rawiller and McDonald will be declared joint winners if they both finish with 70 victories for the season.
In Hong Kong, Caspar Fownes and John Size finished their racing term with an equal number of winners but Fownes was crowned champion trainer on a countback because he had more second placings.
Racing NSW steward Greg Rudolph said he had discussed the potential issue with Racing NSW CEO Peter V’Landys who indicated a draw would be declared.
“If they tied it’s likely to be shared,” Rudolph said.
McDonald’s title aspirations have been thwarted by a couple of careless riding suspensions, and two narrow losses at Canterbury on Wednesday added to his frustrations.
Emerald City loomed up to win the TAB Quaddie Handicap but faded late for second to Egyptian Ruler then a race later Loophole went down by a half head to Mahatma in a bobbing finish.
He was considered a strong chance in the final race aboard favourite Idance but the former North Queensland galloper disappointed.
McDonald showed he still maintained a sense of humour despite his tense premiership struggle, telling stewards who questioned Idance’s below-par run: “He might want to go back to Rockhampton.”
He has four mounts at Randwick on Saturday with the Chris Waller-trained Reigning shaping as his best chance.
