Third time lucky: How Australia's leading jockey came to land prized Melbourne Cup ride
James McDonald’s journey to the 2023 Melbourne Cup hasn’t been a linear one, but Australia’s leading jockey has found his way onto the equal favourite for the race that stops a nation.
Following Cox Plate Day and Mark Zahra’s decision to stick with Caufield Cup winner Without A Fight, the Ciaron Maher/David Eustace camp were quick to announce the booking of McDonald on Gold Trip.
But it’s one that came about in fortunate circumstances.
“I’m very pleased because otherwise I would been sitting in the jockeys’ room with no rides,” McDonald told SEN’s Whateley.
“It’s been a good result, it’s been a funny old Melbourne Cup prep this year. I’ve been on one horse that didn’t end up going, and then on another one that is going for a spell as well.
“The is third time lucky and hopefully Gold Trip is the one.”
Gold Trip, last year’s Melbourne Cup winner, finished fifth in the weekend’s Cox Plate at Moonee Valley and closed strongly towards the finishing post. It was a race taken out by McDonald aboard Hong Kong galloper Romantic Warrior.
But Gold Trip's run looks to have him spot on for the 3200-metre affair at Flemington in eight days' time.
“He is going well, he’s in career-best form, so that’s one positive,” McDonald added.
“Yes, he’s got to carry a little bit more weight, he’s got a kilo more than last year, but he’s a very good horse, he’s trained by some very good trainers so they’ll have him there in a good frame of mind and I’m sure he’ll run well.”
Zahra had ridden Gold Trip to a dominant Turnbull Stakes win earlier in October, but jumped off for the Caulfield Cup.
Ben Melham took the ride on the seven-year-old that day, but McDonald isn’t surprised to get the call-up for the Melbourne Cup.
“Not necessarily, I was in the mix I suppose,” he said.
“Zahra had the hard decision. He has a great affinity with this horse (Gold Trip) but he’s chosen the other way.
“It’s always a hard decision but you can’t ride two horses. This way it’s worked out pretty well for myself. Hopefully we can do the job for connections.”
When asked if Gold Trip can win, McDonald replied: “Yeah, I do, yep.”
Tuesday week's race will be McDonald's first race ride on Gold Trip.
The 31-year-old admitted he has a “very strong” setup in terms of rides for Cup week and is “very” optimistic about what is ahead for the Flemington Carnival.
McDonald is no stranger to success in Australia’s biggest race having won aboard Verry Elleegant in 2021, a year when he rode a record 10 winners across the four days.