The Zipping Classic, the richest race on the Sandown program, resembled a procession as the seven runners passed the winning post on the first round.

Sertorios led the field our of the straight at a hand canter, you could have kept up with them on a punctured bicycle, the pace was so slow.

It didn’t take long for James McDonald, the brilliant tactician, to sum the situation up, he took Who Shot The Barman to the lead1400 metres out, and there were no problems thereafter, the gelding travelled sweetly and had the race safely in his keeping a long way out.

Justine Hales, stable forelady for Chris Waller in Melbourne, was the architect, she laid the plan and James McDonald carried it out to the letter

Who Shot The Barman winning the Eclipse Stakes

When McDonald made his daring move he put four lengths on the field within a short distance, from there on the procession commenced.

All Justine Hales could quote after the race was, “what a ride! he never missed a beat, the race was won a long way out.”

James McDonald at 23 years of age has the world at his feet, he has already had 30 Group 1 winners to his credit.

He has completed a successful Spring Carnival, whilst he has the biggest stables in the country supporting him; he has the talent to ride the winners.

It was quite obvious that the unplaced run in the Melbourne Cup didn’t do Who Shot The Barman any harm, he pulled up as fresh as a daisy after winning the Zipping Classic by seven lengths, and could have gone around again.

James McDonald after a brilliant ride