James McDonald chases another Thousand Guineas
![](https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/AelianaCarbine-Club-StakesGroup-3_02-11-2024_WIN_Flemington_1__177-734x460.jpg)
Not content with his record Melbourne Cup Carnival haul, James Mcdonald will be back in Melbourne for this Saturday’s Thousand Guineas meeting.
The champion jockey will ride pre-post favourite Aeliana in the $1.5 million Group 1 for three-year-old fillies.
McDonald won last year’s Thousand Guineas on Joliestar, who like Aeliana is trained by Chris Waller, and McDonald was taken by the way she disposed of her male rivals in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Derby Day.
“She’s been an improver, a bit of a sleeper, but her performance in the Carbine Club was great,” McDonald said.
“A lot of the fillies are coming through the 1400-metre race (The Vanity), but she’s had a run against the boys over a mile and demolished them, so she looks pretty well placed.
“Some of the fillies in that 1400-metre race might be a little bit suspect at the mile , the way they ran the other day and on what their breeding suggests, but she’s ticked that box so that’s not a worry.”
Aeliana’s Carbine Club Stakes success was the first of 11 wins for the Melbourne Cup Carnival for McDonald, who rode Group 1 doubles on Derby Day and Champions Day to take his career Group 1 tally to 104.
It was the third win from five starts and second success in a row for Aeliana after taking out the Group 3 Reginald Allen Quality at Randwick on October 19.
A daughter of Castelvecchio, Aeliana races under Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds silks and is out of a half-sister to Invincibella, who won 12 races and more than $3 million for Martin and her owners.
The trip to Caulfield will be part of a hectic weekend for McDonald, who will leave Caulfield before the meeting has concluded to get to Tullamarine, where he will catch a flight to Hong Kong to partner Romantic Warrior in Sunday’s Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m).
More Racing News
Watson plans to Storm Away with the Magic Millions WA Classic
Storm Away delivered a strong first-up performance on debut at Ascot last Saturday. Trained by Mitchell Pateman, the gelding finished second but left a lasting impression despite the narrow defeat. After breaking slowly and racing wide, he surged to the front but was edged out by Monte Tremezzo by a long head. A...
Seven internationals entered for Sydney autumn carnival
Maestro trainer William Haggas is once again setting his sights on Sydney’s prestigious autumn carnival, nominating three of his top runners, including the seasoned Group 1 campaigner, Dubai Honour. Haggas’ trio is part of a strong international contingent, with a total of seven overseas horses being aimed at marquee events. These...
G1 Lightning Stakes ures James McDonald to Melbourne
Top jockey James McDonald receives a flood of ride requests each week from leading stables, especially those based in Sydney. When major races clash between his hometown and Melbourne, deciding where to ride becomes a tough call. This Saturday, McDonald will head to Flemington to partner with the Chris Waller-trained Switzerland in...
Australasian Oaks campaign starts at Flemington
Trainer Dan O’Sullivan is setting his sights on Group 1 glory in Adelaide as his promising filly, Too Darn Discreet, begins her campaign at Flemington. Her ultimate target is the prestigious Australasian Oaks (2000m), scheduled for late April at Morphettville. She kicks off her autumn preparation this Saturday in the Listed...
Ndola out to win family race in CS Hayes Stakes
Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Ben & JD Hayes are still in pursuit of a victory in a race that holds deep significance for their family legacy. Saturday’s Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington is named in honor of their grandfather, Colin Hayes, a Hall of Fame trainer who founded...
Pride excited ahead of Ceolwulf’s return in G2 Apollo Stakes
Via Sistina and Ceolwulf are set to face off for just the second time in the Apollo Stakes at Randwick, a race that could spark a thrilling rivalry throughout the carnival. Both recognized as elite middle-distance runners, they may find the 1400-metre trip of Saturday’s race shorter than ideal. However, their...
Expressway Stakes the ‘Way to go early for Joliestar
Chris Waller’s Apollo Stakes contenders will take center stage at Randwick this Saturday, but the champion trainer also has strong support in the day’s other $300,000 Group 2 races. Joliestar has been entered for the 1400-metre Apollo alongside Via Sistina, Fangirl, and Atishu, but is set to begin her campaign in...
Black Caviar Lightning Stakes could be the making of Maher’s Empire
The only certainty is that Growing Empire will kick off his campaign in Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington. However, the outcome of that race will shape the rest of his season. Trainer Ciaron Maher is eager to secure a maiden Group 1 victory for the son of Zoustar. The three-year-old narrowly...
Mount Barker Cup continues good times for Madi Derrick
Jockey Madi Derrick continued her impressive run of form, securing a double for trainer Ray Malpass, including a standout victory in the Mount Barker Cup (2000m) on Sunday. Seven-year-old gelding Big Swoop proved too strong for his competitors, rounding off a successful day for Malpass, who also saw Sirota claim a...
Strideaway set for Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic goal
Trainer Neville Parnham says Strideaway has improved since her perfect return and is spot on to end his Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) hoodoo at Pinjarra on Saturday. A daughter of Alabama Express, Strideaway created a big impression first up and stamped her Magic Millions credentials with authority, gunning down Do...