James McDonald admits leaving Hong Kong will be difficult but the superstar Kiwi hopes to “be back pretty quickly” as he eyes a number of upcoming Sha Tin features.
McDonald heads to Sha Tin on Monday armed with a stellar book of rides and he is confident he can finish his successful five-and-a-half-week stint with a bang.
After beginning his Hong Kong contract on November 26, McDonald has racked up 12 wins from 11 meetings, with his strike rate of 13 per cent placing him firmly in the upper echelon of the city’s jockey ranks.
“I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s been unreal,” McDonald said. “It’s been a great few weeks and it’s gone so quickly. It will be sad to leave, but I’m sure we’ll be back soon.”
As well as tasting plenty of success on the track in his longest spell in the ultra-competitive jurisdiction, the 31-year-old has enjoyed the opportunity to see everything Hong Kong has to offer.
“It’s been nice getting out and about,” McDonald said. “We’ve enjoyed some brilliant restaurants and been on a lot of fantastic hikes. The whole time here has been a great experience.”
Arriving on the back of a stellar spring in Australia, McDonald’s stay has undoubtedly been headlined by his successful Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) defence aboard his old mate Romantic Warrior.
McDonald has over 80 Group One wins to his name and has ridden some of the best thoroughbreds on the planet, but his close relationship with Danny Shum Chap-shing’s superstar gelding has captured the imagination of the racing public.
“Of course, to win the Hong Kong Cup on Romantic Warrior was unreal. I just love him. He’s an absolute dude,” McDonald said. “He was definitely the highlight, but to be honest, we’ve made the most of the whole experience. That’s probably why it’s gone so quickly. It feels like yesterday we arrived.”
McDonald’s contract may end on January 1, but the 2022 Longines World’s Best Jockey could be back in a matter of weeks.
“Hopefully, I’ll pick up a really nice four-year-old for the Classic Mile and onto the [Hong Kong] Derby,” McDonald said. “Voyage Bubble also looks to have a cracking chance [in the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) on January 21], so fingers crossed we’ll be back pretty quickly for those hit-and-run missions.”
On Monday, McDonald will aim to end his time in Hong Kong exactly how he started it – with a victory aboard Wunderbar.
The John Size-trained gelding ensured McDonald got off the mark at the first time of asking in a 1,000m Class Four contest on November 26, and he will attempt to bookend the rider’s contract with a win in the Class Three Cherry Handicap (1,200m).
“He’s a lovely horse. I’ve got a lot of time for him,” McDonald said. “Mugen was really impressive last time, but I felt we worked pretty hard in the run. It’s a great clash and with a bit more in our favour, I think we can definitely turn the tables.”
McDonald, who has only returned empty-handed once in his 11 meetings in the city, hopes C P Brave can back up his emphatic last-start success when he contests the Class Three Cotton Tree Handicap (1,800m).
“He’s worked really well,” McDonald said. “I sat on him [on Saturday morning] and he felt great. I’m looking forward to getting him out on Monday – he looks like a cracking ride.”
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