With hands and brain superably in tune with headstrong horses, James McDonald today rates the spotlight on Saturday with Buddy Franklin, who supplies his inimitable presence for the Swans, and Latrell Mitchell, who can lift the Rabbits back to mighty.
Perhaps jockeys don’t have the same public impact as the champions of old such as Darby Munro and George Moore, who were bracketed with the sporting greats of their time, but J-Mac’s five winners at Royal Randwick last Saturday confirmed that he is well on the way to the same level of saddle expertise.
James McDonald returns to scale on Nature Strip after winning The Shorts – one of his five victories at Royal Randwick last Saturday.Credit:Getty
Obviously J-Mac, now 30, is one of the world’s best jockeys. Franklin, 35, is very much an elder statesman but will have an impact for the Swans against Geelong at Melbourne Cricket. Later, South Sydney will need the X-factor that Mitchell can produce to repel the Panthers at Accor Stadium.
Like Nature Strip, to whom J-Mac is a major contributor, Franklin produces the aura of being in the company of greatness. Maybe his touch isn’t as sweet as it was but, even with his brief excursions into top gear, gets the blood boiling like Nature Strip in full flight.
Mitchell, though, has the potential to produce a Sam Burgess or Greg Inglis surge when the Rabbits, even with their pack of workhorses, get trapped in a pocket.
If a three-year-old in the Golden Rose can hit the line like Cameron Murray, you’ve got the winner. Campbell Graham runs through the pain barrier and Cody Walker has a conjuror’s knack with the ball. But a power play, not a few guest appearances in the battle front, by Mitchell is required to complement them.
No doubt Franklin is supported by a wonderful mix of youth and experience. The bouncing Tom Papley scents an opening like J-Mac in a traffic jam, and, while Tom Hickey deceptively ambles like a giraffe, he invariably reaches the right destination.
Franklin and Mitchell will carry the hopes of thousands of club supporters, but J-Mac will hump the currency of the realm at Rosehill Gardens on early favourites and particularly the hotpot In Secret in the $1 million group 1 Golden Rose. The Sydney feature is up against Melbourne’s group 1 Underwood Stakes at Sandown on Sunday. Yes, the Underwood only drew six acceptors, but they are contenders for Australia’s best over longer journeys.
In Secret has produced the best three-year-old sprint figures, but the filly will require J-Mac’s assistance to triumph in a demanding 1400m assignment.
According to Daniel O’Sullivan in Racing.com:“In Secret has become the standout three-year-old this season in what is shaping as a below-average group compared to past seasons.”
However, James Cummings, head coach for Godolphin, deserves credit for In Secret’s last-start success for giving J-Mac a filly fitter than most of her rivals but who will still benefit from that race. Jacquinot, from Melbourne, is a danger. The colt was powerful when winning the McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last start – indicating today’s distance should suit – and has had the benefit of Rosehill experience in the Golden Slipper.
Down south, the Great Brit-bred Zaaki, which was successful for McDonald last start, is the key in the Underwood but has four strong rivals in what will be a battle of tactics.
Jamie Kah takes over on Zaaki, which rated higher last start in the Tramway with O’Sullivan than Anamoe’s George Main win last Saturday.
Imports bred and developed in Europe again promise to be key players over the spring here and have left Britain sapped of what has been termed “family jewels”. In 2016 Britain exported 2619 horses. Last year that number rose to 3545 sold to race mainly here.
Headed by Nature Strip and Anamoe, the Aussies are still strong. J-Mac is a Kiwi, but they don’t come any more local than Buddy and Latrell.
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