Racing: McDonald chases double ton

In any normal 10-week period, booking teen phenomenon James McDonald the 18 winners he needs for New Zealand's first double-century would be a cinch.

He has a phenomenal 4.58 winning strike rate - that's an average of two winners every nine rides - a number not seen since Lance O'Sullivan's domination in the 1990s and early 2000s.

But McDonald's riding manager, expert form analyst Garry Cossey, has a few minor curve balls to negotiate if the deadly duo is to reach the magical 200 mark before the season's July 31 close.

Firstly, it's likely McDonald will be riding in Brisbane for the next four Saturdays; his five mounts this weekend include early Oaks fancy Scarlett Lady in the A$175,000 Doomben Roses (2020m).

There is also the possibility the 19-year-old will head to Singapore to partner Martial Art in the Singapore Derby on July 17, and he has now told Cossey to factor in a holiday as well.

Not surprisingly, Cossey is brushing up on his South Island form - just in case.

"It would be nice to reach the 200 up here but if it comes down to it, we'll do the travelling, that's all there is to it," said Cossey.

"That's what he wants to get and we'll go anywhere to get it.

We had good support in the South Island last year and, hopefully, we can rely on that again if need be."

Cossey is hopeful he can take some of the travelling pressure off with at least a couple of winners from six stand-out mounts at Matamata today.

McDonald kicks off with Sola Gratia (race two), a promising Gareth McRae-trained Black Minnaloushe filly who was an unlucky sixth on debut at Pukekohe on April 27.

She got squeezed back to second-last early on over 1200m and didn't get much room in the straight when running on nicely in a strong form race.

Three of the chasers ahead of her - Olivia Ann, Donna Diva and Vandenne - won at their next start.

The extra 200m today is also a big assist.

Debutante Zabinella, a Zabeel daughter of group-winning juvenile Pulcinella, is another early each-way chance in leg two of the $40,000 Pick6.

Cossey says McDonald was impressed with her April trial win when she won from the front under a hold on a slow Ellerslie over 800m.

Local filly La Tourneau (race five) also caught the eye when third on debut this course and distance as favourite on April 29. McDonald feels that the addition of blinkers today "should rark her up a bit".

The Andrew Scott-trained She's Invincible is another potential Pick6 anchor in leg four, one of the weakest of the day.

She ran into a smart one in Forever Joyful on debut at Paeroa and fought well in a far stronger race than this after a tough run at Ruakaka next time out.

Dropping back from Saturday R80 company, Angelwithattitude (leg five) is another huge chance to get McDonald a notch closer to the 200.

Cossey, however, rates John Bary-trained Hastings visitor No Excuse Maggie (leg six) as his best chance.

The 4-year-old mare jarred up when a costly last-start failure for McDonald at Hastings on April 23.

Reports indicate those problems are now behind her and she should relish the step up to 2000m.