Champion jockey James Mcdonald has continued where he left off last season, dominating the opening races at Randwick with a trio of beautifully timed rides to land the first three winners.
McDonald opened his account aboard the Chris Waller-trained Hot Spring Gold ($9.50) before adding wins aboard progressive stayer Harpo Marx ($2.50 fav) for Bjorn Baker in the Cliff Clare Handicap (2400m) and $3.30 favourite Dream Runner for Keith Dryden in the Highway Handicap (1800m).
Harpo Marx lumped 62.5kg in his assignment and mindful of the impost, McDonald settled the gelding back in the field and pinched runs along the inside before hooking him into the clear and charging home to score.
Baker praised McDonald’s ride and said Harpo Marx had earned a shot at a better race over the Sydney spring carnival.
“Outstanding ride, especially when you’ve got 62-1/2. You don’t want to be covering any extra ground or doing any more work than you have to,” Baker said.
“He’s been a really good horse for Darby Racing and myself. He’s gone through the grades now, so we may have to look at something a little bit better.
“I think he is (up to a better race). You never quite know but he’s relatively untapped, he hasn’t had too many runs and you can’t fault a performance like that with a big weight in what was probably a bit of a sprint home.”
McDonald is likewise confident Harpo Marx is good enough to participate in the spring where he will enjoy some weight relief.
“Up in grade, down in weights is only going to suit him down to the ground so he’s in for a good prep if they give him a little let-up and aim for some nicer races,” McDonald said.
Dream Runner atoned for a narrow defeat in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill two weeks ago, unleashing a strong finish to down Laughing Or Crying with the winner’s last-start conqueror So Say You third.
McDonald was thrilled to get the right result on Saturday after hitting the front too soon last start.
“He probably should have won last time to be fair, similar to today he hit the front a bit early,” McDonald said.
“He only does what he has to once he gets there but Keith is such a good trainer, he places them well and it’s a pleasure to ride for him.”
