J-Mac to ride for mentor, Sir Peter

Champion jockey James McDonald “wouldn’t be the rider [he is]” without Sir Peter Vela, so the call came to ride Tomodachi in Saturday’s Telegraph Handicap at Trentham, the answer was always yes.

The legendary owner and jockey combined to win the Telegraph, for their only Group 1 together 14 years ago with Guiseppina, and McDonald would love to do it again.

“The call came while I was in Hong Kong, it’s favourite, and for  Sir Peter,” McDonald said. “It was easy to say yes because what he has done for me, and it was a good chance to do something for him.

“He sent me to Singapore, England and Ireland when I was young, and I wouldn’t be the rider I am without doing that.

“You just learn so much in different places, and if anyone asks me, I say just go and get out of your comfort zone and do a couple of months overseas.

“I think the young guys coming through these days just stay in their own bubble and don’t give themselves the chance to become better.”

McDonald went for a couple of months at a time, spending time with Fozzy Stack and John Oxx in Ireland, Melbourne Cup winner Laurie Laxon in Singapore and Charlie Hills and Ed Dunlop in England.

“It made me learn and adjust. It was so important,” McDonald said.

Tomodachi returns from a spell in the traditional New Year’s sprint with the benefit of two trials.

“It is a fly-in and fly-out trip, and it would be nice to have Group 1 on my first day for the new year,” McDonald said.

“I’m back in Sydney on January 7. I have had a good little break and I’m looking forward to getting back into it.”