Champion hoop James McDonald will reunite with unbeaten mare Autumn Glow for the $10m The Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick on November 1.
Yet to taste defeat in each of her eight career appearances, the Chris Waller-trained superstar has been ridden to her two most recent victories – including the Group 1 Epsom Handicap – by Kerrin McEvoy.
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McDonald was back aboard Autumn Glow when the brilliant mare had a quiet tick over trial at Royal Randwick on Monday.
TAB rate Autumn Glow as a $2.50 favourite to win Waller’s second Golden Eagle after he captured the inaugural edition with Kolding in 2019.
Kolding won the Epsom Handicap-Golden Eagle double that year.
John Messara speaks with James McDonald after Autumn Glow’s win in the Toy Show Quality Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
McDonald’s decision to partner Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle means Australia’s premier jockey will be a notable absentee from Derby Day at Flemington to kickstart Melbourne Cup week.
In 2024, McDonald rode a staggering 11 winners during the four-day Melbourne Cup carnival, surpassing his own record of 10 which he set in 2021.
And it’s becoming increasingly likely that McDonald will remain in Sydney to ride at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day also in the absence of a ride in the two-mile showpiece.
McDonald’s omission from Derby Day at Flemington also guarantees Adam Hyeronimus will remain aboard Golden Rose hero Beiwacht in the Group 1 $2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Adam Hyeronimus rides Beiwacht to victory in the Golden Rose Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
The Chris Waller-trained Godolphin-owned colt sits atop of betting for the Coolmore with fellow Godolphin-owned emerging star Tentyris.
And while McEvoy won’t unite with Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle, all is not lost for the leading jockey, set to partner star mare Fangirl in the Group 1 Empire Rose (1600m) at Flemington on Derby Day.