2 months ago
21
By Craig Kerry
June 27, 2025 — 5.00pm
James McDonald hopes a swing in the weights and a rise in distance can offset a disappointing draw for Firestorm as the superstar jockey strives to equal the Australian record for group 1 wins in a season on Saturday at Eagle Farm.
McDonald sits on a personal-best 15 elite victories in Australia in 2024-25 with only the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) left for him to match ‘Miracle’ Malcolm Johnston’s record of 16 from 1979-80.
James McDonald on Via Sistina after their Queen Elizabeth Stakes win in April at Randwick.Credit: Getty Images
Chris Waller-trained Firestorm remains one of the top fancies for the fillies and mares feature, but her and McDonald’s hopes were dealt a blow when she drew gate 19. That was 14 of 17 on Friday.
“It’s never ideal,” McDonald said.
“The perfect draw was probably between eight and 12 because she does like a bit of room, but obviously we didn’t get that, so we need a bit of luck. You never know. Eagle Farm is a big, fair track, so hopefully it plays well.”
Firestorm was a $4.20 chance with Sportsbet, which had Floozie as favourite at $4 and Tashi at $7.50. Last start, those main rivals finished one-two in the group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) when McDonald gave third-placed Firestorm an ideal run from gate nine. Firestorm’s impost drops a kilogram on Saturday, while Floozie and Tashi go up 1kg and 1.5kg respectively to all meet at 57kg.
McDonald hoped for genuine pace up front to give Firestorm the chance to launch late.
“She’ll improve off her first-up run, and she meets the first two better at the weights, so that bodes well for her, and the 1400 will suit her better,” he said.
Firestorm won the group 2 Millie Fox Stakes first-up at 1300m in February before almost upsetting star filly Lady Shenandoah, and McDonald, with a flying finish in the group 1 Coolmore Classic at 1500m. Waller was taking encouragement from that effort.
“She drew wide in the Coolmore and ran second, so hopefully she can repeat that performance,” said Waller, who has surpassed his own national record for group 1s in a season, with 19.
McDonald had 14 group 1 Australian winners in 2023-24, and he has had Johnston’s record in his sights this campaign.
James McDonald on Crimson Advocate after winning The Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 18.Credit: Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse
“As the season goes on, it’s good to have a target or a goal, and obviously Miracle Mal was a great jockey,” the 33-year-old said.
“I went close last year and I’ll probably get close again this year. We’re a good chance without being a certainty.”
Johnston has said he would like to see McDonald equal his mark.
“He’s a top man and I really enjoy his company. I speak to him a bit,” McDonald said of Johnston.
“He was an unbelievably good jockey who rode arguably one of the best horses in Kingston Town.
“It would be lovely [to tie the record].”
McDonald also rides Mare Of Mt Buller in the Tattersall’s Gold Crown and Autumn Boy in the Tattersall’s Stakes for Waller.
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“She’s a great chance,” he said of Mare Of Mt Buller.
“She sets up really well with a good draw, which she didn’t have last time.”
McDonald has had his busiest season, which has included several overseas trips and six international group 1 wins. He plans to have three weeks off in July to refresh, having all but secured a seventh consecutive Sydney premiership.
He has 83 winners, 19 clear of next best Zac Lloyd.
“It will be nice to have a little break,” he said.
“It’s been incredible the amount of travel I’ve done, but I enjoy it, so it’s a good spot to be in.”
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