James McDonald is widely regarded as the best jockey in Australia racing at the moment, but how many times has he won the Melbourne Cup? Here, we look at J-Mac’s record in the race that stops a nation.
James McDonald’s Melbourne Cup record
At only 29 years of age, McDonald has ridden some 56 Group 1 winners in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. However, the Kiwi star is yet to taste victory in the Melbourne Cup. Will 2021 be his year?
Which horse is James McDonald riding in the 2021 Melbourne Cup?
COVID-19 restrictions meant McDonald was unable to take the ride on Verry Elleegant in the 2020 Melbourne Cup, but he hops back on the star mare for her second crack at the two-mile feature. She might have to pull out something special to get the better of Incentivise, but we have seen time and time again that this horse will fight to the bitter end. At double figures, Verry Elleegant could be the value in the market.
Verry Elleegant
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Brown
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Zed
- Dam: Opulence
Win: $15.00
Place: $4.50
Best odds at Ladbrokes
Career stats for Verry Elleegant
- Career: 33: 14-7-3
- Flemington: 7: 1-1-1
- Distance: 1: 0-0-0
- Wet: 19: 11-3-2
- Good: 14: 3-4-1
- Group 1: 22: 9-5-1
- Win %: 42%
- Place %: 73%
2021 Melbourne Cup odds
Flemington – Race 7
Lexus Melbourne Cup
Status: Open
Track Rating: Good4
Weather: FINE
AUS
3200m
03:00pm – Tue 2nd Nov
A & S Freedmanᐅ
D T O’brienᐅ
Ben & J D Hayesᐅ
Andrew Baldingᐅ
Symon Wildeᐅ
C Maher & D Eustaceᐅ
C Maher & D Eustaceᐅ
G Waterhouse & A Bottᐅ
Joseph O’brienᐅ
C J Wallerᐅ
Bjorn Bakerᐅ
Matthew Cumaniᐅ
M Baker & A Forsmanᐅ
P & P Snowdenᐅ
C J Wallerᐅ
P G Moodyᐅ
M, W & J Hawkesᐅ
Robert Hickmottᐅ
C J Wallerᐅ
C Maher & D Eustaceᐅ
G Waterhouse & A Bottᐅ
Denis Paganᐅ
C J Wallerᐅ
C Maher & D Eustaceᐅ
