The last race on Randwick’s 10-race program delivered McDonald his extraordinary sixth winner as he rode Gangsta Granny in the Wenona Girl Quality (1200m).
A jockey hadn’t ridden six winners at a Sydney Saturday meet since Jim Cassidy in 1987.
Adding to the impressiveness, McDonald’s six successes were all achieved in Group or Listed races.
His victories included Joliestar in the Canterbury Stakes, Generosity from the Challenge Stakes, Pinito in the Aspiration Quality, Beadman via the Fireball Stakes and Chayan in the Reisling Stakes.
“I knew I had a proper book of rides. I thought every single one was capable of winning with a bit of luck,” McDonald said.
“But it was one of those days where everything just falls into place. If you get that luck, it just snowballs.
“You can feel them running well and you’re feeling good on top of them and things just worked out that way.
“I did ride six winners in New Zealand once (2010) but this is the first time I’ve done it in Sydney.”
McDonald owned the day completely, notwithstanding a careless riding finding for impacting Hidrix in the Todman Stakes.
His guilty plea led to a four-meeting suspension by Racing NSW stewards from Sunday onward, permitting him to ride at the Coolmore Classic meeting next Saturday.
Gangsta Granny ($2.80), from the Team Hawkes stable, underlined her ability and wrapped up McDonald’s exceptional day by winning by three-quarters of a length over $41 shot Cosmonova, with Asgarda ($81) taking third a neck away.
“I thought she looked pretty well placed today even with the 58kgs,” McDonald said.
“She is a class mare and did run Autumn Glow to half a length.”
According to co-trainer Michael Hawkes, gifted Gangsta Granny has “gone to another level” for this campaign, achieving five wins (and five placings) in 10 appearances.
“Her trials have been outstanding, she has come back with a bang,” Hawkes said.
“It was a nice race that we picked for her. We thought it was an easier race, albeit she had to carry the weight, but she is a class mare.
“She has always been strong, she has always been that sort of mare but you just want these good horses to come back to the next level, which she has.”
Hawkes conceded that Gangsta Granny’s chief autumn goal is still up in the air.
“She can go anyway,” Hawkes said.
“The improvement she has taken, they’ve run good time, it’s only first-up and she carried a big weight. Her day will come and hopefully we can get to the top of the tree.”
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