Racing: Great day for duo at Randwick

Kiwi jockey James McDonald is currently leading the standings for the world's best jockey. Photo / Trish Dunell

Sydney trainer John O'Shea and stable jockey James McDonald have have done their boss proud with the Godolphin blue to the fore at Randwick in five races including the Metropolitan Hcp on Saturday.

O'Shea took over Sheikh Mohammed's Australian operation 18 months ago with McDonald his No 1 jockey.

In a switch from horses heading from Australia to the Northern Hemisphere, Godolphin has been identifying Europeans to send south, including Magic Hurricane, a dominant winner of the Metropolitan (2400m).

"It's the best team I've ever taken to a racetrack," O'Shea said.

"It was a wonderful team effort led by our jockey, James.

"Magic Hurricane has hopefully made his way into the Caulfield Cup. He is just coming right but he will have to get a penalty."

Sent out the $3.10 favourite, Magic Hurricane pushed forward, rounding the turn to take over midway down the straight.

His superior finishing sprint gave him a two-length advantage over Beaten Up ($10) with Godolphin's Havana Cooler ($10) another long head third.

"You dare to dream, we knew we had the horses right," O'Shea said.

McDonald gave Magic Hurricane an economical run and the import saved ground before joining in at the 200m.

"It's fantastic to be a part of Godolphin's team," McDonald said. "I play a very small role but I'm just privileged that I'm riding for one of greatest empires in the world. It's what fairytales are made of."

McDonald's confidence in Magic Hurricane was boosted as early as Tuesday when the barrier draw came out. "Gate one was just so important for us to win this race," he said. "As soon as the barriers came out I went 'yeah baby'."

The other Godolphin winners for O'Shea and McDonald were Calliope in the Gimcrack Stakes, Ambience in the Dulcify Quality, Exosphere in the Roman Consul Stakes and Complacent in the Craven Plate.

Calliope and Ambience will head to the spelling paddock but many of the stable's other runners go to Melbourne.