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By Ray Hickson

Ten years ago James McDonald had to deal with a runaway leader as he guided Dundeel to victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes so he’s no stranger to what is likely to unfold in the 2024 edition at Randwick on Saturday.

James McDonald

As they approached the turn in 2014, Tommy Berry on Carlton House, who was owned by The Queen, had established a four or five length lead before Dundeel mowed him down.

McDonald goes into the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on short priced favourite Via Sistina facing a similar scenario with Pride Of Jenni widely expected to open the field up.

Just as he did a decade ago, McDonald is keeping his cool about the situation. And is trusting the Chris Waller-trained import to get the job done.

“You ride your horse to how it’s trained and I know how Chris’s horses are trained and I know her running style,’’ McDonald said.

“There’s no point reinventing the wheel.

“She would have come across some fast run races in Europe, that’s for sure, on stiffer tracks. We don’t know for sure but I’m confident she will cope with it.”

Via Sistina, $2.20 with TAB on Thursday, ran right up to her reputation as a high class mare with a dominant display, off a slow tempo, in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) three weeks ago.

She ran 32.81 for the last 600m (Punter's Intelligence) and the fastest last 200m of 11.06 in the Rosehill win.

Waller is following the formula that UK trainer William Haggas has made his own to win three of the past four editions of the Queen Elizabeth and the Ranvet ticks the first box.

McDonald went into that race thinking the six-year-old had something up her sleeve for the grand final and that view hasn’t changed after working her on Tuesday morning.

“Her form up in Europe was great, I got a sit on her a week before the (Ranvet) and she felt good,’’ he said.

“I thought she would improve on whatever she did in the Ranvet so it was a pleasant surprise.

“I think she will parade a lot better in the Theatre Of The Horse, she’s tidied up nicely in the coat and she’s obviously adapted to our conditions really well and she’s holding her condition good.

“Chris has had a good month with her now so that bodes even better for us. That’s only got to be a plus.”

The Group 1 $1m Grainshaker Vodka Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) is one race that’s so far eluded McDonald but he has a big chance with in-form mare Zougotcha chasing a hat-trick.

The champion jockey has been rapt with how she’s reacted this campaign after an indifferent spring and under the conditions of the race can only expect her to be in the finish.

At weight-for-age she’ll meet all those who finished behind her in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic on better terms and has gate one to boot.

“She was trialling really well before her first up run and she had a penalty that day, she had a penalty second-up and still won and now she’s back to weight-for-age,’’ he said.

“She’s a mare in fantastic form and she’s maintained that level of training at home. She won’t run badly that’s for sure.

Via Sistina wins the Ranvet Stakes

“She’s won a Group 1 over the Randwick mile before (Flight Stakes) so I can’t see why she couldn’t do it again.”

McDonald’s third Group 1 ride is the star Kiwi filly Orchestral in the $1 million The Star Australian Oaks (2400m) and he said she felt in great order in trackwork earlier this week and ready to back up her Vinery win.

James McDonald on Schwarz (race 5): “I just love the horse, he’s a gorgeous colt and is a horse that probably exceeded my expectations in terms of performance last start. He was half a run away. He looked fantastic in his gallop on Tuesday so he’s obviously trained on well. This is a good measuring stick for him to see where he fits in but I have no doubt he’s a quality colt right up to this level.”

All the fields, form and replays for Day 2 of The Star Championships at Randwick