Racing: Godolphin trying to win premiership for McDonald

With the might of Godolphin behind him coupled with O'Shea's determination to see his stable rider succeed, it's probably going to be too much for the opposition. Photo / Thinkstock

James McDonald leads Blake Shinn by a single win in the Sydney jockeys' premiership after Saturday's racing, but bookmakers are punting heavily on the New Zealander taking the title.

McDonald rode a winning double at Rosehill on Saturday to Shinn's one win and the premiership race with less than two weeks to go sits at 90.5 wins to 89.5.

Yesterday bookies had McDonald at $1.90 (in from $2.30) to Shinn's $2.80 (out from $2.60). Hugh Bowman, who rode one winner at Rosehill, is on 88 wins and is quoted at $4.60 from an original $3.50 quote.

There is one clear reason for bookies' optimism around McDonald and it came in the jockey's first winning ride on Saturday, Alegria.

Godolphin trainer John O'Shea said immediately after the victory: "If James wasn't in this premiership fight this filly would have been in the paddock by now. We kept her going for this race to help James out."

With the might of Godolphin behind him coupled with O'Shea's determination to see his stable rider succeed, it's probably going to be too much for the opposition.

McDonald ended the day with a clearcut victory on the Chris Waller-trained Marenostro. "It's great to have been able to score a winning double, particularly for two outstanding trainers," said McDonald.

In keeping with his usual policy, Waller spreads his wins among a handful of jockeys rather than employ a stable rider, and Waikato apprentice Rory Hutchings was engaged for Waller's second winner on the day, 2-year-old Japonisme.

The A$85,000 Bob Ingham 2YO was an appropriate race to win because Ingham races the youngster in his famous all-cerise colours.

Hutchings rode a well-judged race on Japonisme to trail the speed and finish strongly to beat the $1.90 favourite King's Troop, who was on debut for Gerald Ryan after winning his two barrier trials by wide margins.