McDonald puts career at risk for less than $5000
IT has now been revealed that champion jockey James McDonald might have risked his career for a $1000 bet on Astern last year, which would have netted him just under $5000.
McDonald has since stood himself down as the investigation continues, but there is a great deal of confusion as to why McDonald would risk his job with Godolphin on such a small wager.
A well-known punter is alleged to have placed the bet for McDonald. The jockey has been warned about his relationship with the punter and since cut ties with him.
The inquiry was sparked following McDonald’s actions as he crossed the line on Astern. McDonald punched the air as he crossed the line, which isn’t a normal celebratory act in a race that isn’t a Group one.
Godolphin are sticking by their man throughout the investigation. McDonald could face a minimum of two years on the sidelines if found guilty.
Stewards are continuing to build their case against McDonald by searching his phone records. Chief steward Marc Van Gestel said stewards were still interviewing persons of interest and the investigation would be complete in the next week.
“We are going through some forensic material as we speak and we are sorting our way through financial records and other records,” Van Gestel said.
“We are continuing to interview a number of people who we believe are involved and that’s going to take some time to complete.
“We hope to have the interviews complete by the end of the week and we will then turn our mind to the forensic material.”
Punters should not expect to see McDonald on the track for at least another two weeks.
Triple threat for Waller in Perth
Chris Waller has a triple threat in Perth this year with 2015 Railway Stakes champion Good Project, Mackintosh and Vanbrugh.
Waller didn’t target the Perth carnival with his runners, but having it straight after the Melbourne spring carnival allows trainers to continue with their preparations.
“We are taking a good hand over there. Good Project is back to defend the Railway Stakes he won last year and the two races stack up well for Vanbrugh and Mackintosh,” Waller said.
“The Kingston Town (Stakes) is probably a better option for Vanbrugh, while I think Mackintosh will be competitive in both races.”
All three horses are backing up after racing at Group one level. Mackintosh and Good Project finished fifth and seventh in the Cantala Stakes, but Good Project ($16 at CrownBet) didn’t have the best of run during the run.
Waller believes the defending champion is in good order to make it back-to-back Railway Stakes wins on Saturday.
“That is why he was a bit later coming back,” Waller said. “The plan was to be at his top third-up for the Cantala and this is the obvious step after it. He is still pretty fresh and not tired at all.
“He was beaten by Malaguerra last year, this time he was beaten by bad luck before going over there.
“Zac Purton rode in the Cantala and said he should have finished at least third but he just got held up on the inside.”
Mackintosh has been a good acquisition for Waller and the Theo Marks winner looks to have a good chance of winning at $6.50 with Sportsbet.com.au.
“I think he is the perfect horse for both the races over there,” Waller said. “He was outstanding doing a lot of work in the Epsom and was tough last time.
“I spoke to Hughie [Bowman] after the Cantala and he just said: ‘That’s racing, I got on Mackintosh’s back and you gave me the run of the race’.
“He was just exposed a long run out but he has come through it very well and while he is going well it is the right time to have another go at a Group one.”
Turnitaround given Ballarat Cup chance
Six-year-old Turnitaround was a stylish winner of the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last Saturday and trainer Matthew Williams admits it faces a challenge of backing up at Ballarat.
“He’s got 60 kilos and barrier 13 and he’s backing up a week after a win over a distance he hasn’t run over before, so it’s going to be interesting,” Williams said.
“I’ve decided to roll the dice and run him. He hasn’t left an oat since the win and he’s as sound as a bell. I rode him this morning and he felt great.”
Williams said it has been a slow maturing type which has improved with every run this season.
“It was his last preparation where he hit his straps and this one he’s taken another step,” Williams said. “It’s happened this time in and hopefully that will continue.”
Turnitaround is currently $10 at CrownBet after opening at $9.50 and Williams has bigger targets in sight further down the road.
“Depending on how he’s going, he’ll either run in the Peter Young Stakes or the Cranbourne Cup and then the Australian Cup if he’s racing well,” Williams said. “He might be a bit out of his league in the Australian Cup but we’ll put in a nomination.”
Calanda rewards punters at Warwick Farm
The best-backed horse at Warwick Farm on Wednesday was Calanda and it didn’t let punters down.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt opened at $4 on Monday before dropping to $2.50 on race day. That quote was quickly snapped up and it ran as the $1.60 favourite in the Schweppes Plate.
The three-year-old son of Snitzel did it easy, winning by 1.5 lengths in class record time and co-trainer Paul Snowden will now look to progress the colt through the grades.
“Obviously, you like to see them do it first but he’s done it now and what was most impressive was the last furlong and a half when he accelerated,” Snowden said.
“We’ve always had a bit of an opinion of him and now it will be up to him to get through the grades.
“He only had the one start on a wet track but acquitted himself very well and prepped up nicely for today.”
With the autumn carnival only months away, Snowden is weary of racing Calanda through the tough summers months.
“There’s still plenty of improvement in him and we’ll place him right and hopefully he’ll work his way into a nice race,” he said.
“It’s only small steps at the moment but we’re in the off-season now so we won’t venture too far. We’ll probably give him a break ahead of the autumn.”
Winning jockey Blake Shinn said Group company could be within its reach.
“He felt pretty awesome. He’s still raw and experienced but there is a lot of natural improvement there,” Shinn said.
“He’s got a massive motor and is probably up to Group standard.”