Jockey James McDonald targets more Group 1 glory aboard Joliestar in 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup following Sha Tin success with Voyage Bubble

News.com.au

26-05-2025

Champion jockey James McDonald can enhance his career-best Group 1 season when he partners brilliant mare Joliestar in the $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Joliestar, trained by Chris Waller, is the $3.50 favourite in early TAB Fixed Odds betting for the feature sprint.
McDonald will on Saturday be riding for his 21st Group 1 win of the season and his 15th major in Australia.
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The superstar jockey netted another Group 1 when he partnered Voyage Bubble to an historic win in the Champion and Chaters Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
'I couldn't have dreamed of it panning out as well as that – that's once in a blue moon,' McDonald told Hong Kong media.
'From the 600m, he tracked up beautifully, the pace increased, everything was smooth, nothing was cluttered up. I just had a really smooth run the whole way.
'He just does everything you ask of him and he's so willing. He was on song today and he's just such a star.''
This angle of VOYAGE BUBBLE and J-Mac! ðŸ'¥
Salute to Hong Kong's second ever Triple Crown champions… ðŸ''ðŸ�† #WorldPool pic.twitter.com/PEqNkYwRry
— World Pool (@WorldPool) May 25, 2025
Voyage Bubble became only the second horse in Hong Kong racing history after River Verdon in 1993-94 to complete the Triple Crown by winning the Stewards Cup (1600m), Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and Champion and Chaters Cup in the same season.