- Dianne McDonald trains Melbourne Cup rugged Virtuous Circle
- Her son James McDonald rides a $7 Gold Trip
- Kiwi Hoop, 31, was a star performer at the Spring Carnival
- Has already won Group 1 races Cox Plate and Victoria Derby
If champion jockey James McDonald wins the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, no one will be happier than his mother Dianne.
It comes despite the trainer having her own newcomer in the 23-strong field, outsider Virtuous Circle, who was rated at $151 by the bookmakers.
Her 31-year-old son – who won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup aboard Cleveland, Cox Plate while riding Romantic Warrior and the Victoria Derby with Riff Rocket to dominate the Spring Carnival – is tipped to take part in the race which will see a holds land back to his eyeballs over 3,200 yards.
The Kiwi hoop secured the ride on Gold Trip, who coincidentally won Australia’s most decorated race at Flemington 12 months ago.
“I’ll be cheering for Gold Trip all the time,” Dianne McDonald told Racenet.
If champion jockey James McDonald wins the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, no one will be happier than his mother Dianne (pictured, left)
The Kiwi Hoop has already won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup aboard Cleveland, Cox Plate while riding Romantic Warrior and the Victoria Derby with Riff Rocket in a dominant Spring Carnival
‘My ultimate dream would be Gold Trip first, then Virtuous Circle…’I went to bed the other day thinking it would happen.’
Born and raised in Waikato, and the son of former jockey and trainer, Brett McDonald, James rode his first professional winner in 2007.
He quickly became New Zealand’s leading rider before moving to Sydney, and many in the industry have McDonald in the conversation as the world’s best jockey.
The diminutive superstar has also tasted success in the Melbourne Cup before, winning in 2021 aboard Verry Elleegant.
McDonald expects to be firmly in contention as the field approaches the winning post.
“This horse is top class and has won a serious weight-for-age race before,” he said.
‘And I don’t think his 58.5kg weight is that bad, despite what others may think.
‘I think the winner has to come from the top five (favorite) horses.’