Kiwi star James McDonald has been hailed as the best jockey in the world after winning Australia's greatest race - the Cox Plate.
The 30-year-old delivered a perfect ride on the favourite 'Anamoe' in the time-honoured Moonee Valley feature - adding another of Aussie racing's most prestigious prizes to a sparkling CV.
The J-Mac roar has become a familiar sight on the Aussie Group 1 scene, but never before in a Cox Plate.
This was the one McDonald's wanted his entire life
"Those are the races you live and dream of as a kid," he said. "Now I'm feeling it, it's incredible."
In the weight-for-age championship of Australia, McDonald was on board the horse regarded as the best in the country - hoping to secure his legacy as one of the all-time greats with victory at Moonee Valley
And after coming second in a controversial finish last year, Anamoe wouldn't be denied
Redemption secured thanks to a peach from McDonald.
"I went a tad earlier than I wanted to, but he was always going to sustain that gallop," McDonald continued.
"He would've dug deep, as you know this horse - he can find a bit."
It was also a special win for trainer James Cummings - grandson of the legendary Bart Cummings.
And at just 30, McDonald too is now among the all-time greats of the sport.
Having last year won the world's richest race, The Everest with Nature Strip, and the Melbourne Cup aboard Verry Elleegant, another major win has seen McDonald earn praise from the best.
"He's seeing them like watermelons at the moment," said legendary jockey Glen Boss. "He's the best jockey in the world.
"We're just seeing why he is the best jockey in the world."
"Touch wood, it carries on," said McDonald. "But that one was close to my heart, so I'm really rapt with it."
