Returning
from an 18 month suspension, champion jockey James Mcdonald enjoyed the fairytale
result when he coaxed a narrow victory from the Star Thoroughbreds owned three
year old Cormac at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The Chris Waller trained son of All Too Hard was a short priced favourite for
the 1400 metre maiden and was rock hard fit at his third run back from a spell.
He tracked the leader and when asked to challenge tried hard all the way to the
line to score a head win.
"My legs feel like
jelly, I didn't need a tight finish to start off the day," said a heaving
McDonald.
"I was pretty nervous on my way here today and got here pretty early so it's
good to get the first one and the first winner out of the way.
"It's great to see my family made the trip over, I've got a few friends here,
Katelyn (Mallyon - girlfriend) and my best mate Toddy so it's really good.
"Hopefully this is the start of bigger and better things.
"I want to move on and this is a good starting point."
With three placings and a win from just six starts, Cormac has already won nearly
$50,000 in prizemoney for his big team of Star Thoroughbreds owners.
A $175,000 Magic Millions purchase for Star from the Yarraman Park draft, Cormac
was bred and sold by Yarraman and is the second winner from Group II winner
Saint Minerva, a daughter of champion sire Galileo.
Star Thoroughbreds and Chris Waller made it a race to race winning double at
Warwick Farm taking out the very next race with two year-old I Am Invincible colt
Pembroke Castle.
Third in the $250,000 Inglis Classic back in February and a last start fourth to
his highly rated stablemate The Autumn Sun, Pembroke Castle was well placed
stepping out to 1400 metres and scored a tenacious half head win.
A $105,000 Inglis Classic purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Star Thoroughbreds
and Chris Waller, Pembroke Castle is the 13th two year-old winner
this season for I Am Invincible.