Superstar jockey James McDonald has continued his red-hot form at the Melbourne Cup carnival despite being denied a start in the race that stops a nation.
After riding three winners on Derby day - including two at Group 1 level - McDonald steered another two home at Flemington on Tuesday.
The first came aboard Opening Address for Liam Howley in the TAB Trophy, before another with the Kris Lees-trained Cloudland in the Subzero Handicap.
McDonald also had two seconds and a third, finishing on the podium in five of his eight rides, and squeezed in a television broadcast as an expert commentator during the feature race.
The Kiwi star, who won Australia's greatest race aboard the Chris Waller-trained Verry Elleegant in 2021, had been set to ride Via Sistina in this year's Cup.
But connections last week opted against running the record-breaking Cox Plate winner over 3200m on Tuesday.
Instead, the world's top-ranked horse will return to Flemington for Saturday's Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m).
"Via Sistina's come through her Cox Plate win really well," Waller said.
"She went to a new level with a track record at the Valley in such a time-honoured race.
"I thought it might've come at a cost, but it hasn't. The word is around the stables from people that count think that she's even improved.
"I wouldn't say she's gone backwards, I wouldn't say she's improved, but if she can hold her own the team are telling me she's ready for another great performance on Saturday."
McDonald and Waller have continued their powerful partnership with Group 1 triumphs in the Cox Plate, Coolmore Stud Stakes and Empire Rose Stakes over the past two weekends.
Those victories took McDonald to 102 Group 1 wins as the 32-year-old continues his march towards Damien Oliver's record (129).
"I hope it continues," McDonald said on Tuesday of his strong start to the Flemington carnival.
"I've been on some really nice horses. They've put themselves into good positions and done a good job to stave them all off."
McDonald is booked for another eight rides at Flemington on Thursday, including the John Sargent-trained Powers Of Opal in the Group 1 VRC Crown Oaks, before turning his attention towards Champions Stakes day.
George Moore (126), Hugh Bowman (106) and Jim Cassidy (104) are the only other jockeys to ride a century or more Group 1 winners.
