J-Mac returns as O’Shea stable lands Saturday double

Astronomix continued his rapid progression through the grades when he finished powerfully wide out to win the Happy Retirement Lynne McLean Handicap (1300m).

James Mcdonald, who is about to claim a record-equalling eighth successive – and 10th overall – Sydney jockeys premiership, hasn’t ridden at a Sydney Saturday meeting since All Aged Stakes Day in mid-April.

In fact, the last time he rode in Sydney was at a Canterburty midweek meeting on May 27 due to interstate and overseas commitments.

But McDonald was seen to advantage on Astronomix ($3.90) with the emerging three-year-old finishing strongly under 59kg to run down brave front-runner Nullarbor Jane near the line to win by a length with Aisle Two ($10) two-and-a-quarter lengths away third.

Lady Invictus was backed into $3.30 favouritism but appeared to have every chance before finishing only fifth.

Astronomix took his record to three wins and three placings from six starts with the promise of more to come, according to McDonald.

“He’s a young horse with a lovely presence about him,” McDonald said.

“He has been so well handled, so well educated, and he was strong to the line today.

“I don’t think he’s any world-beater but he tries very hard in his races.”

Astronomix provided trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton with the second leg of a winning double after the earlier success of two-year-old Scintillation.

“We like him, he’s a very genuine young racehorse,” O’Shea said of Astronomix.

“He’s only lightly raced, he gives his all but we feel he can only keep improving.”

Earlier, Leovanni also continued her form surge when she won her third race in succession in the TAB Highway (1800m).

Leovanni struggled to break her maiden with eight minor placings but after finally breaking through with a win at Tamworth, she has won successive Randwick TAB Highways over 1600m and 1800m.

The Cameron Crockett-trained Leovanni ($7) settled on speed, forged to the front on the turn and went on to score comfortably by three-quarters of a length from Maples $5.50 with Moon Sweeper ($2.35 favourite) a long neck away third.

“I thought she probably should have been favourite today,” Crockett said.

“But when you have an Arrowfield horse (Maples) and one of Matt Dunn’s (Moon Sweeper) then I don’t mind being third favourite. If we win it doesn’t make any difference.

“As soon as Alyshac (Collett) got up outside the leader I was worried that maybe she might over-race.

“But when she relaxed and half switched off then I thought she won’t let any of them pass her as I know how tough she is.”