James McDonald reckons he can win today. Picture / Sarah Ivey
He came second on Fiorente in his first Melbourne Cup last year and highly rated Kiwi jockey James McDonald reckons he's a good chance of going one better today.
One of racing's most in-demand jockeys, McDonald will ride fancied Irish mare Voleuse de Coeurs.
"I was lucky enough to experience
it last year and this year I reckon I've got a better chance going into the race," McDonald said. "I'm a bit more confident. I came second last year and this year I think I've got a better [horse] that can go one better."
Kiwi horses have won the Melbourne Cup 41 times, and claimed 28 of the past 50 races, but with no New Zealand-bred or -owned horses flying the flag this year, McDonald is the main point of interest for partisan fans.
"Let's hope I can do it for the whole of NZ," he said. Having the country behind him would make it "like an All Black match".
