 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
New Zealander James McDonald arrived in Hong Kong after successful riding stints in Sydney, where he established himself as possibly the most in-form jockey in the world. Now in Hong Kong, McDonald is on a two-pronged mission.
Last Sunday, a New Zealander who now resides in Sydney began a five-week riding contract in Hong Kong. He had a great start to the contract, producing a winner with his first ride on Wunderbar in the Class 4 Chevalier Lifts & Escalators Handicap for John Size. Five races later, he rode The Golden Scenery to a long-shot victory in the Class One Chevalier Cup Handicap for Tony Cruz.
The jockey in question is the 2022 LONGINES World’s Best Jockey, who will represent New Zealand in the 2023 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC). He has come close to winning the Championship in previous contests at Happy Valley and is determined to ride as many winners as possible during his short-term contract in Hong Kong. He will also ride Romantic Warrior in the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup, a race he won with the gelding last December.
The jockey, known as ‘J-Mac’ to racing fans, made headlines when he rode the Danny Shum-trained Romantic Warrior to victory in the Gr.1 W.S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October. He has now achieved 86 Group One victories, including seven during the recent Australian Spring Carnival. His impressive winning strike rate of 26 percent from his last 50 rides in Australia has him looking forward to competing in the ultra-competitive Hong Kong jurisdiction.
“I’m heading to Hong Kong with my tail up, that’s for sure,” he said before landing in Hong Kong. “It will be a challenge and I’m very grateful for the Club to allow me to be there for five weeks.
“To be fair, it all blended in beautifully because I was going to be over there for two weeks for the International Races but I was lucky enough to be able to stay on for the New Year.”
McDonald is excited about the challenge of riding against some of the world's and Hong Kong's best riders in the LONGINES IJC. He finds it to be a unique concept.
“It’s brilliant, a fantastic night, a great atmosphere and unique,” McDonald said. “The Club puts a brilliant show on and it’s a great fun when you ever get an opportunity to ride in it.’’
McDonald, who has come close to winning the Championship twice and placing third once, acknowledges the difficulty of the competition. However, he remains optimistic about his chances this time around. What truly thrills him is the opportunity to ride Romantic Warrior once again in the upcoming Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup at the HK$118 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.
“I had great fun with him down in Australia and was afforded the opportunity to ride him several times through trackwork and twice at the races, and it was really good fun,” he said. “And to get a result in the Cox Plate was brilliant.
“Now he has probably got the biggest task ahead to defend his title in the Hong Kong Cup, which would be a huge honour if we can get the job done.
“He is a great horse and I’m very proud of him, and he wears his heart on his sleeve and he gives his all every time, and you never die wondering with him as he is a brilliant, brilliant animal.”
Credit should be given to Shum and Romantic Warrior's owner, Mr. Peter Lau, for their courage in taking the best horse from Hong Kong to win what is arguably Australia's greatest weight-for-age race.