James McDonald hopes a swing within the weights and an increase in distance can offset a disappointing draw for Firestorm because the celebrity jockey strives to equal the Australian document 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 solely the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) left for him to match ‘Miracle’ Malcolm Johnston’s document of 16 from 1979-80.
James McDonald on By way of Sistina after their Queen Elizabeth Stakes win in April at Randwick.Credit score: Getty Photographs
Chris Waller-trained Firestorm stays one of many prime fancies for the fillies and mares characteristic, however her and McDonald’s hopes had been dealt a blow when she drew gate 19. That was 14 of 17 on Friday.
“It’s by no means perfect,” McDonald stated.
“The right draw was most likely between eight and 12 as a result of she does like a little bit of room, however clearly we didn’t get that, so we’d like a little bit of luck. You by no means know. Eagle Farm is a giant, truthful observe, so hopefully it performs effectively.”
Firestorm was a $4.20 likelihood with Sportsbet, which had Floozie as favorite at $4 and Tashi at $7.50. Final begin, these predominant rivals completed one-two within the group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) when McDonald gave third-placed Firestorm a really perfect run from gate 9. Firestorm’s impost drops a kilogram on Saturday, whereas Floozie and Tashi go up 1kg and 1.5kg respectively to all meet at 57kg.
McDonald hoped for real tempo up entrance to offer Firestorm the prospect to launch late.
“She’ll enhance off her first-up run, and he or she meets the primary two higher on the weights, in order that bodes effectively for her, and the 1400 will swimsuit her higher,” he stated.
Firestorm gained the group 2 Millie Fox Stakes first-up at 1300m in February earlier than nearly upsetting star filly Woman Shenandoah, and McDonald, with a flying end within the group 1 Coolmore Traditional at 1500m. Waller was taking encouragement from that effort.
