James McDonald, a celebrated jockey with a remarkable track record, is all set to begin a five-week racing stint in Hong Kong, starting this Sunday. McDonald, known for his historic Group One Cox Plate victory with Romantic Warrior last month, is optimistic about his return to the Sha Tin racecourse, a venue he regards as his “happy hunting ground.”
Armed with an impressive portfolio of 81 Group One wins, McDonald is entrusted with nine promising rides on the 10-race card. One of his notable mounts is the John Size-trained Wunderbar in the Class Four Chevalier Lifts & Escalators Handicap (1,000m). With Wunderbar having clinched an impressive debut victory under Karis Teetan over the same course and distance three weeks ago, expectations are high for McDonald to secure an early win during his stint.
Wunderbar’s recent performance, including a dominant win in an 800m turf trial at Conghua, has further bolstered McDonald’s confidence. The three-year-old’s unbeaten record and trial triumph suggest he will be a formidable contender in the upcoming race.
Beyond his debut ride, McDonald’s history with Hong Kong racing is extensive and successful, with 14 wins over a decade of visits. His most notable victory was with Romantic Warrior in last year’s Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m). While he eagerly anticipates reuniting with Romantic Warrior in December, McDonald will also be riding Romantic Charm, another Peter Lau Pak-fai-owned horse, in the Class Three Chevalier Cold Storage & Logistics Handicap (1,600m) this Sunday.
McDonald’s familiarity with Romantic Charm, having ridden him to a respectable fourth at Geelong last month, positions him well for the upcoming race. He believes that Romantic Charm, trained by Danny Shum Chap-shing, is a horse that performs as needed and should be competitive in the race.
Coming off a successful spring in Australia with five Group One victories, McDonald remains a force to be reckoned with in the world of horse racing. His arrival in Hong Kong is highly anticipated, as he brings his skill and experience to one of the world’s most competitive racing environments. As he prepares for his stint in Hong Kong, starting immediately after his ride at Kembla Grange on Saturday, the racing community eagerly awaits the impact of this seasoned jockey on the local racing scene.
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