The son of Thorn Park was second on debut at Kembla on July 19, but proved more
tractable on this occasion when finding the line strongly for McDonald to score
a stylish win in the 1200 metre contest.McDonald is having only his second full season in Sydney and has little to prove having won the two richest races here this year in the Group I ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Dundeel) and Golden Slipper (Mossfun).
"It is an honour to win the premiership and have my name up there with the legends that have achieved it in the past," McDonald said.
"It was also good to do it on a Kiwi horse for a Kiwi (Chris Waller).
"I've also got to thank my manager Clock (Craig Tompson). He's the backbone behind it all and helps me relax and picks me up when I'm down.
"He has been a great help and I wouldn't be in this position without him."
Chris Waller was delighted to have played a role in the rise of this
outstanding young jockey."It's a proud moment to be involved in his career," said Waller.
"He's only 23 years old, so it's a great achievement. I have the utmost respect for him and he will do a lot better things to come in the future."
Bascule was a $160,000 NZB Premier purchase for his trainer from the Mapperley Stud draft and runs for a big group of Waller stable clients including Debbie Kepitis and Graham and Linda Huddy.
"He's part of a number of horses that were bought in New Zealand for our stable clients looking to secure nice NZ bred stayers and three year-olds," Waller explained.
"He's only two, so has a bright future."
By ill-fated champion sire Thorn Park, Bascule is a three-quarter brother-in-blood to Group II winner Te Akau Rose and is the second winner for Group III placed Alberton Princess, a half-sister to the dams of stakes-winners Cavalry Rose and Testarhythm.
