It has been 10 years since James McDonald opened The Championships era by winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on It’s A Dundeel, and he finally has a horse to compare to him in Anamoe.
The Godolphin star will step out on an Australian track for the final time at Randwick on Saturday and could seal his legacy as a four-year-old just as It’s A Dundeel did by winning the group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
James McDonald reaches out to give Anamoe as he returns to scale after winning the George Main Stakes.Credit:Getty
It’s A Dundeel retired to stud at the top after his Queen Elizabeth triumph, but Anamoe could have one more run at Royal Ascot. They are the two best entires to race on into their four-year-old seasons this century, and they hold a special place for the champion jockey.
“I appreciate this bloke more than Dundeel because as you get older you start to realise these horses only come along once in a generation and you have to be lucky to get on them,” McDonald said.
James McDonald returns on It’s A Dundeel after the 2013 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.Credit:Getty
“With Dundeel, it was like, ‘Wow that was good – what’s the next thing’. Whereas when Anamoe come along I thought, ‘God, he is good’.
“I have been associated with three or four of them in my career [It’s A Dundeel, Verry Elleegant, Nature Strip and Anamoe] and they all give you great experiences and moments. But Anamoe is the one I have the most fun on.”
McDonald arrives at the second day of The Championships with another stellar book including three of the four group 1 favourites but without a Championship trophy from day one.
“I went home last week and refocused because it was one of those days. I just said to myself I have had a really good run and there is next week,” McDonald said. “I’m ready for a big day.”
It could be a record-equalling day for Anamoe, which looks to complete his autumn preparation unbeaten as the great mare Winx did and also match her record of seven group 1 wins in a single Australian season.
Anamoe is just a winner and McDonald loves that he has the attitude to go with it. The Street Boss entire might not win by lengths but he wins, and there is a chance that he has something in hand.
“I’m hoping it will be deja vu because Dundeel ran second in this race as a three-year-old and came out and won it at four,” McDonald said. “They are very similar – both spunky dudes and have fantastic records to match. I’ll enjoy Anamoe because he has such a swagger.
“I said to the staff member at Godolphin on Tuesday that this is the third-last time I’ll probably get on him. It was quite sad. I’m definitely going to be sad to see him go, because of what he has done and the feeling he gives me. You have cherish every sit on him now.”
McDonald also has Vinery Stud Stakes and VRC Oaks runner-up Pavitra in the Australian Oaks, $10million mare Alcohol Free in the Queen Of The Turf and Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip in the Sydney Cup.
“Gold Trip get the ground he likes and the trip he likes,” McDonald observed. “Pavitra will need the track to dry out to be most effective but she can run the trip.”
McDonald has been on Alcohol Free a couple of times in morning trackwork and is looking forward to her Australian debut.
“There hasn’t been a horse like her to come down from Europe as a four-time group 1 winner,” he said. “She won at Royal Ascot, the Sussex Stakes and the July Cup. It is unbelievable to have her here.”
McDonald is confident of getting another Championships trophy from Aft Cabin in the Arrowfield Stud Stakes and Kimochi in the Percy Sykes Stakes.
“Kimochi ran really good numbers winning first-up and she can step up, and Aft Cabin he is just flying,” McDonald said.
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