James McDonald has a final chance to equal the Australian riding record for most number of Group 1 wins in a season when he combines with Firestorm in the Tattersall’s Tiara.
The star hoop has claimed 15 majors during the 2024-25 racing term and if he can add Saturday’s Eagle Farm feature – the final Group 1 race of the season – he will equal the feat achieved by Malcolm Johnston in 1979-80.
The mare remains a $4.20 favourite despite drawing barrier 19 and will be one of up to four runners for Chris Waller along with Olentia, Konasana and emergency Gumdrops.
Waller’s assistant, Charlie Duckworth, believes Firestorm has the right profile for the race and just needs a genuine speed to produce her best.
“She has got exceptional form behind Lady Shenandoah in the Coolmore Classic and then in the Doncaster Mile, they just didn’t go quick enough for her to feature. She needs a bit of tempo on,” Duckworth said.
“Her first-up run the other day was brilliant. It wasn’t a very hard run either so she has bounced through that.
“She went to the farm for a couple of days and came back and she has done really well.”
Firestorm was given a light autumn, winning the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) and beating all but stablemate Lady Shenandoah in the Coolmore Classic (1500m) before her unplaced run in the Doncaster Mile (1600m).
She was doing her best work late when third to Saturday’s Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) rival Floozie in the Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) and Duckworth is expecting McDonald to be hungry, not only to equal Johnston’s record, but to ensure his afternoon is worthwhile.
“James is only riding three on the day so he is going to have to make them all count,” Duckworth quipped.
Olentia is coming off a below par effort in the Dane Ripper Stakes but Duckworth cautions “she is a better horse than that,” while both Konasana and Gumdrops have continued to please the stable.
Konasana finished fourth in a brace of Group 1 races in New Zealand earlier this year and her connections are keen to have another throw at the stumps.
“She was unlucky not to win a Group One in New Zealand so she is on the hunt for that elusive race,” Duckworth said.
