Racing: Kiwi jockey amped for Royal Ascot

James McDonald. Photo / Bradley Photography

Star Kiwi jockey James McDonald has a gilt-edged chance to secure his first Royal Ascot win this week.

McDonald, who left for England after riding at Warwick Farm last Wednesday, has picked up the ride on the Charlie Hills-trained Equilateral in the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup (1200m) at the Royal meeting on Friday (Saturday NZ time).

"He's come in to favouritism so hopefully they're right. Charlie sent me the link to his last-start win and he looks very good," McDonald said.

"Charlie reckons he's one of the best sprinters he's had, and that's saying something because he had Muhaarar, who won five Group Ones. But he reckons he could be up with him.

"That last race he won by eight lengths and the third horse has won twice since so the form looks good too. He's still got to make the step up but he looks a really good ride."

McDonald was hoping to ride at all five days of the Royal Ascot meeting, with confirmed mounts on the Hills-trained Pogo in the Gr.2 Coventry Stakes (1200m) and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Mirage Dancer in the Listed Wolferton Stakes (2000m) on the opening day on Tuesday (tomorrow NZ time).

He will ride the Stoute-trained Expert Eye in the Gr.3 Jersey Stakes (1400m) on day two, Silver Quartz in the Gr.3 Hampton Court Stakes (2000m) and Curiosity in the Britannia Stakes (1600m), both for trainer Hugo Palmer on day three, as well as the Hills-trained Hawayel in the Gr.3 Albany Stakes (1200m) and the Stoute-trained Elector in the Gr.2 King Edward VII Stakes (2400m) on day four.

"I've won at Ascot before but not as part of Royal Ascot week and that's something I'm very keen to do," McDonald said. He is on the cusp of £1 million ($1.9m) in stakes earnings in England, having won 25 of his 139 rides there and banking £989,938 for his connections.

McDonald is not the only Kiwi hoping to be in the spotlight at the Royal meeting.

The Sir Peter Vela-owned Eminent will take on Europe's best weight-for-age performers in the Gr.1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes (2000m) on day two, while the tangerine colours of Te Akau racing will be sported by Torcedor in the Gr.1 Ascot Gold Cup (4000m) on day three.

- NZ Racing Desk