James McDonald is on the brink of equalling a decades-old milestone as he prepares to partner Firestorm in the Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm this Saturday.

McDonald has notched up 15 Group 1 victories during the 2024-25 season, and a win aboard Firestorm in the final Group 1 of the campaign would draw him level with Malcolm Johnston’s 1979-80 record of 16 majors in a single season.

The mare, trained by Chris Waller, remains the $4.20 market elect despite drawing a wide gate in barrier 19. She’s set to be one of as many as four runners Waller may line up, with Olentia, Konasana, and emergency Gumdrops also in the mix.

Waller’s assistant, Charlie Duckworth, is optimistic about Firestorm’s chances. “She has got exceptional form behind Lady Shenandoah in the Coolmore Classic and then in the Doncaster Mile, they just didn’t go quick enough for her to feature. She needs a bit of tempo on,” Duckworth said.

“Her first-up run the other day was brilliant. It wasn’t a very hard run either so she has bounced through that. She went to the farm for a couple of days and came back and she has done really well.”

Firestorm impressed earlier this season with a Group win in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) and strong showings in other elite company. Her recent third-place finish in the Dane Ripper Stakes positions her well for this weekend’s assignment.

With just three rides scheduled for the day, McDonald will be laser-focused on seizing this record-equalling opportunity. “James is only riding three on the day so he is going to have to make them all count,” Duckworth quipped.

Meanwhile, Konasana is also expected to run well after good performances in New Zealand, with Duckworth noting, “She was unlucky not to win a Group One in New Zealand so she is on the hunt for that elusive race.”

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