Champion jockey James McDonald is set to light up Flemington this Champions Day with a book of rides that would make any hoops green with envy. The superstar rider has secured mounts on some of Australia's most exciting thoroughbreds, headlined by the legendary mare Via Sistina in the day's feature race.
The Marquee Mount: Via Sistina's Empire Rose Assault
All eyes will be on McDonald and the exceptional Via Sistina as they team up for the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). The powerhouse mare comes into the race with imposing credentials and appears perfectly placed to add another major to her growing resume.
"She's the type of horse that gets any jockey out of bed in the morning," McDonald enthused. "Her form speaks for itself and she's exactly the sort of quality galloper you want to be associated with on these big days."
A Championship-Calibre Book of Rides
Beyond the feature race, McDonald's book reads like a who's who of racing talent. The jockey has secured mounts across multiple Group races, giving him genuine winning chances throughout the card.
Among his other standout engagements are several well-fancied runners in the supporting stakes races. McDonald's ability to secure such quality rides speaks volumes about his standing in the racing world and the trust trainers place in his unmatched big-race temperament.
Flemington's Spring Carnival Showpiece
Champions Day represents one of the final major acts of Melbourne's spring racing carnival, with Flemington playing host to multiple Group races that often decide championship fates. The meeting consistently delivers racing of the highest quality, attracting the nation's best horses, trainers, and jockeys.
For McDonald, the opportunity to showcase his skills on such a platform is precisely why he remains one of Australian racing's biggest drawcards. His presence in the saddle can often be the difference between victory and defeat for many punters and connections.
With ideal spring racing conditions expected and competitive fields assembled across the card, Champions Day at Flemington promises to deliver another unforgettable chapter in Australian racing history, with James McDonald positioned to play a leading role.
