Renowned jockey James McDonald is set to make a highly anticipated return to his native New Zealand for the Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie on January 27. The 31-year-old will be aboard Roger James and Robert Wellwood’s recent victor Orchestral in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO race. Additionally, McDonald is scheduled to ride the promising juvenile Velocious, trained by Stephen Marsh, in the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO event.
This marks McDonald’s first appearance in New Zealand since the 2020 Karaka Millions meeting. Blake Shinn will also be part of the action, teaming up with the exciting filly Molly Bloom in the Karaka Millions 3YO race.
Fresh from a successful stint in Hong Kong, where he secured 15 victories in just five weeks, including a triumph with Cox Plate champion Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup, McDonald’s return to his home turf is eagerly anticipated.
Although he hasn’t ridden in Australia since December 9, when he rode Zaaki to a narrow defeat in the Northerly Stakes in Perth, McDonald is gearing up for upcoming rides at Canterbury on Friday night and Randwick on Saturday. Moreover, horse racing fans can look forward to seeing him in action at the Gold Coast Magic Millions meeting on January 13.