James McDonald hopes a swing in the weights and a rise in distance can offset a disappointing draw for Firestorm as the superstar jockey strives to equal the Australian record for group 1 wins in a season on Saturday at Eagle Farm.

McDonald sits on a personal-best 15 elite victories in Australia in 2024-25 with only the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) left for him to match ‘Miracle’ Malcolm Johnston’s record of 16 from 1979-80.

Chris Waller-trained Firestorm remains one of the top fancies for the fillies and mares feature, but her and McDonald’s hopes were dealt a blow when she drew gate 19. That was 14 of 17 on Friday.

“It’s never ideal,” McDonald said.

“The perfect draw was probably between eight and 12 because she does like a bit of room, but obviously we didn’t get that, so we need a bit of luck. You never know. Eagle Farm is a big, fair track, so hopefully it plays well.”

Firestorm was a $4.20 chance with Sportsbet, which had Floozie as favourite at $4 and Tashi at $7.50. Last start, those main rivals finished one-two in the group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) when McDonald gave third-placed Firestorm an ideal run from gate nine. Firestorm’s impost drops a kilogram on Saturday, while Floozie and Tashi go up 1kg and 1.5kg respectively to all meet at 57kg.

McDonald hoped for genuine pace up front to give Firestorm the chance to launch late.

“She’ll improve off her first-up run, and she meets the first two better at the weights, so that bodes well for her, and the 1400 will suit her better,” he said.

Firestorm won the group 2 Millie Fox Stakes first-up at 1300m in February before almost upsetting star filly Lady Shenandoah, and McDonald, with a flying finish in the group 1 Coolmore Classic at 1500m. Waller was taking encouragement from that effort.

“She drew wide in the Coolmore and ran second, so hopefully she can repeat that performance,” said Waller, who has surpassed his own national record for group 1s in a season, with 19.

McDonald had 14 group 1 Australian winners in 2023-24, and he has had Johnston’s record in his sights this campaign.

“As the season goes on, it’s good to have a target or a goal, and obviously Miracle Mal was a great jockey,” the 33-year-old said.

“I went close last year and I’ll probably get close again this year. We’re a good chance without being a certainty.”

Johnston has said he would like to see McDonald equal his mark.

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“He’s a top man and I really enjoy his company. I speak to him a bit,” McDonald said of Johnston. “He was an unbelievably good jockey who rode arguably one of the best horses in Kingston Town. It would be lovely [to tie the record].”

McDonald also rides Mare Of Mt Buller in the Tattersall’s Gold Crown and Autumn Boy in the Tattersall’s Stakes for Waller.

“She’s a great chance,” he said of Mare Of Mt Buller. “She sets up really well with a good draw, which she didn’t have last time.”

McDonald has had his busiest season, which has included several overseas trips and six international group 1 wins. He plans to have three weeks off in July to refresh, having all but secured a seventh consecutive Sydney premiership.

He has 83 winners, 19 clear of next best Zac Lloyd.

“It will be nice to have a little break,” he said. “It’s been incredible the amount of travel I’ve done, but I enjoy it, so it’s a good spot to be in.”

Kris Lees’ hopes of another WJ McKell Cup (2000m) quinella ended on Friday but the Newcastle trainer believes Loch Eagle will go the extra distance on Saturday at Rosehill to challenge for the listed feature.

Adelaide River, Lees’ shorter-priced chance in the race, was scratched with a minor hoof problem, leaving last-start winner Loch Eagle as his sole representative.

Lees said Lloyd Williams-owned import Adelaide River, set to resume off two winning trials, pulled up sore after trackwork on Thursday.

“He’s got a sore foot, but he’s fine and he might run in a few weeks, possibly in the Winter Challenge,” Lees said. “He probably could have run, at a pinch. We think he will get to some bigger races in the spring. He’s a quality horse.”

Loch Eagle, a $9.50 Sportsbet chance with apprentice Ben Osmond to ride from gate two, remained on track for the McKell Cup, in which Lees had the 2020 quinella with Frankely Awesome and Sixties Groove.

The six-year-old Lonhro gelding, a $230,000 yearling buy now with $1.97 million in stakes, powered to the line from midfield to win over the mile at Randwick on a soft 7 track second-up on June 7. However, he has not won beyond 1800m.

“He was good the other day,” Lees said. “He’s on trial a little bit at the trip, but we think he will run it. I just hope the track doesn’t get too firm, which a funny thing to say at the moment, but the horse is well. Preferably there’s some pace up front and he can get a nice, economical run, a bit of room and he’ll run well.”

He also has Tasoraay ($4.20) in the third, a 1400m benchmark 72 handicap. The three-year-old raced out in front last start before Don’t Forget Jack overhauled him late. Osmond takes over from the suspended Dylan Gibbons.

“I thought he rated him well, but he doesn’t have to lead,” Lees said. “He gets forward and makes his own luck, and I think he will run well. He gets in nice with the claim.”

At Eagle Farm, Lees’ team, including Infancy ($26) and Bubba’s Bay ($51) in the group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara, have drawn wide.