With lofty aims surrounding The Championships, James McDonald exemplified his professional approach at the midweek races, landing a double at Warwick Farm.

The elite jockey collaborated with Ciaron Maher to win the opening event on Seraphox ($1.90 fav), before partnering Chris Waller to take the Drinkwise Plate (1300m) with fresh face Mr Miller ($5.50).

Seraphox ran behind Paradoxium without placing in his debut Todman Stakes (1200m) after a wide run, but dropped in class he broke his maiden.

“He’s a nice, progressive horse who will excel as he gets further,” McDonald said.

“He did everything beautifully today and he won accordingly.”

Maher stable’s Head of Racing Amy Burke highlighted Seraphox’s prior indications of class.

“You’re putting your money where your mouth is first-up going into a stakes race like that,” Burke said.

“He was far from disgraced, and he really came on from that run as well.

“His whole demeanour, you could see in the yard beforehand he was completely on his toes the whole way around but never broke a sweat. He’s a very nice horse going forward.”

Riding Mr Miller, McDonald made it successive wins, prevailing by three-quarters over hotpot Graffiti Tycoon ($2.70).

Trainer Chris Waller’s assistant Darren Beadman explained the runner showed aptitude at trackwork and trials but had to be taught to relax.

“He was very keen first trial and wanted to get on with the job. We just had to reprogram him a little bit, and that was the benefit of James having the ride on him in the trial, just to get him to switch off,” Beadman said.

The star rider now eyes Group 1 action at Randwick on Saturday, steering Observer in the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) and Waller’s Joliestar plus Campione D’Italia in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) and Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Racing odds for the key Warwick Farm clashes and McDonald’s future mounts are live at premier racing betting markets.