McDonald savours Warwick Farm successes amid Championships build-up

While eyeing grander prizes at The Championships, the consistently excellent James McDonald delivered his signature intensity to the weekday card, notching a pair of triumphs at Warwick Farm.

McDonald joined forces with Ciaron Maher for victory in the opener astride favourite Seraphox ($1.90), then allied with Chris Waller to prevail in the Drinkwise Plate (1300m) courtesy of first-starter Mr Miller ($5.50).

In his debut effort, Seraphox was unplaced trailing Paradoxium during the Todman Stakes (1200m) following a tough trip from a outside gate, but the easier competition allowed him to notch his maiden victory.

"He's a nice, progressive horse who will excel as he gets further," McDonald said.

"He did everything beautifully today and he won accordingly."

Head of Racing Amy Burke from the Maher team indicated Seraphox had long hinted at ability.

"You're putting your money where your mouth is first-up going into a stakes race like that," Burke said.

"He was far from disgraced, and he really came on from that run as well.

"His whole demeanour, you could see in the yard beforehand he was completely on his toes the whole way around but never broke a sweat. He's a very nice horse going forward."

The rider turned it into consecutive successes with Mr Miller, beating market fancy Graffiti Tycoon ($2.70) by three-quarters of a length.

Chris Waller's deputy trainer Darren Beadman commented that the horse exhibited promise in workouts and jump-outs yet had to master the art of relaxation.

"He was very keen first trial and wanted to get on with the job. We just had to reprogram him a little bit, and that was the benefit of James having the ride on him in the trial, just to get him to switch off," Beadman said.

Attention now turns for McDonald to elite Group 1 tasks at Randwick this Saturday, including Observer in the ATC Australian Derby (2400m), and Waller's Joliestar in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) plus Campione D'Italia in the Sires' Produce Stakes.

Punters looking at betting sites for the Warwick Farm action and beyond can explore options via top Australian betting sites.