The New Zealander was beaten in two extremely close finishes at Canterbury on Wednesday, has only four rides at Randwick today and at this early stage just four for the final day of the season on Wednesday.
You can hear the frustration in his voice when he says: "Six months ago those two [on Wednesday] would have got over the line [first]."
McDonald is the first to admit he does not like being beaten. He doesn't need to apologise and he's not.
In race riding girl's blouses run last. McDonald is no girl's blouse.
"I've always been that way. If I don't get the result I'm looking for I can dog up." Piggott again. It's the hallmark of champions. Show us a champion that loved getting beaten.
Unlike some before him, McDonald's admirable professionalism does not allow him to take desperate measures or ride recklessly at crunch time.
"They're [his mounts] all getting their chance to win." On face value the four mounts from eight races looks disappointing, but as McDonald explains: "I had six, but one got a virus and another of Darley's team was required to go to Melbourne."
Two of the four remaining, Poetic Debate and Solemn, are at double figure odds and perhaps the best of the quartet is the Chris Waller-trained Reigning in Race 4. Reigning has not won a race since November 2012 but spent a year sidelined by injury. He indicated a win was close with placings at his first two runs then finished down the track last start in a performance Waller says should be forgiven.
"He had no luck last start, he was posted wide and did that mid-race move," said Waller. "I think he'll be very hard to beat."
If McDonald falls short, Rawiller will win his fourth premiership in five years. "What will be will be," says McDonald, "but I'd hate to miss by one."
We certainly get that.
