Sydney Trainers Cue For McDonald’s Service

News of his arrival had barely gone public before James McDonald’s Australian based agent had his phone rung off the hook by interested trainers looking for a piece of the young apprentice.

He was to come across for a handful of rides this weekend but his engagements are now bordering on maximum capacity.

In fact McDonald will be in action for seven of the eight events at Randwick on Saturday, a great achievement and testament to his reputation.

John O’Shea was the trainer who originally got the ball rolling with the kiwi booked for three of his horses, Kiss `N Chase, Vantage Point and Cantonese.

With the help of Sydney jockey’s agent Bryan Haskins though McDonald has been able to pick and choose his best options from a flood of good offers.

“I helped him out with rides when he came over as a guest of Hawkesbury,” Haskins said.

“He is a great talent who would hold his own anywhere he rides.”

There are some good chances among his new commitments including Anthony Cummings in-form Gybe.

Gybe will be looking for a third city win after already getting up at Randwick and Rosehill as well.

In addition to that he’ll all partner old school stayer Get Up Jude and Dunrossil for the Hawkes team.

Tim Martin hasn’t missed out either, his two-year-old Skip Town is making the move to town from the country circuit and this gives him a big boost.

McDonald is the first New Zealand based jockey to claim 200 winners in a single season and he’s already won his first Australian Group 1 with a win on Scarlett Lady in the Queensland Oaks.

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