‘It’s just a number’: J-Mac plays down milestone as he chases glory with Autumn Glow and Romantic Warrior

There is no time for disappointment for James McDonald after he was suspended for being overweight on Wednesday.

Autumn Glow on Saturday and Romantic Warrior on Sunday ensure the focus is on winners for the world’s best jockey.

Then there is the small matter of finding a Golden Slipper ride and getting to 500 winners for Chris Waller, which is way down the list.

“It’s just a number. I don’t know why everyone is so excited about it,” McDonald said. “It was going to come because we have a lot of winners together, and that’s what I want to do, ride more winners.”

”Chris has been a great mentor and friend, but we are the same in that we want to find the next winner after 500.”

The 500 could have come on Almaaz, a ride which resulted in a three-meeting suspension for McDonald after he was kilo overweight when he weighed in.

The margin was only a head to the winner, Fireball Miss, so he had to pay a penalty for the extra kilo. McDonald did protest, and it was not without some hope considering the winner straightened and then layed out in the final 50 metres again.

That is the past and McDonald has his eyes on winning another Verry Elleegant Stakes and give Autumn Glow the perfect 10.

“There is still a lot more to come from her,” McDonald said. “It is an exciting story to be a part of and she is ready to take the next step on Saturday.

”She is going to be better again, I feel.”

It will be a flight to Hong Kong on Saturday night to link with Romantic Warrior again in Sunday’s Hong Kong Gold Cup.

“All the reports are good from over there,” McDonald said. “Every time you get to ride horses like Autumn Glow and him, it is a fantastic honour. We know he is going to be at his best over the 2000m.”

McDonald has one area of concern with the Golden Slipper three weeks away, he still isn’t locked into a ride.

“We are going to find out a lot in the next two Saturdays,” he said. “Usually, I have a fair idea what I’ll be riding, but I’m still looking.”

“I have Fireball again after [winning] the Inglis race and Pembrey, which looks a nice filly from Brisbane.”

“Let’s hope one of them puts their hand up.”