Madam Publisher surprise package in WA Oaks

Stuart McDonald is looking for his first Group 1 as a harness racing trainer and he gets his shot this Friday night with Madam Publisher NZ drawing superbly in the WA Oaks at Gloucester Park.

Drawing barrier 10 in the $150,000 feature, the lightly raced three-year-old has had just the 10 career starts for 6 wins and 3 placings and just shy of $40,000 in stakes, but McDonalds is confident his filly has the ability.

“Happy with the barrier draw, she should end up three back at worst, and she should be able to work her way into the money if she gets any sort of luck,

“She’s working good, and everything is well with her, and I don’t think we could have drawn much better.” McDonald said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she won, but she certainly would need some luck.”

Under the same impression as Colin Brown that it will make for a ‘real good race’ if Xceptional Arma is able to hold up,

“If Xceptional Arma does lead then I become a real winning chance, but if she does get crossed and Xceptional Arma Sits on Water Lou, then I probably just become a place chance,

“There’s not much I can do, I can just hope that it works out in my favour and the last 400m we might get some sort of racing luck, because I know she’s good enough to get herself in the finish, its just a matter of a little bit of luck and a half decent steer,

“That’s the concerning part, because I’m driving. “He joked.

Madam Publisher NZ had her final hit out this morning ahead of Friday nights Gr1 WA Oaks,

After taking her on in November 2023 when Gary Hall Snr made the decision to quit her, its been an opportunity that has been all positive for McDonald, and the now three-year-old has been better than he could have initially expected.

“I never thought she could be this good, but after a couple of track runs I thought she could potentially be real nice but she’s certainly got a lot better than I initially thought when I first got her.”

Breaking in her first trial in WA back in September 2023, she made her first appearance at trials for McDonalds two months later, and after two trials for him, the pair head to the races at Northam on the 18th of November, winning first up impressively in 1:59:0 and a 63.6m margin.

“She didn’t really suit the sand, so Snr asked her owner if I could have a go with her and he said I could,

Winning three in a row back in May, she had a quick freshen up after he start on the 31st of May, returning with a win on the 2nd of September, she’s had just the three starts back this time in and win, lose or draw, she will head back to the paddock after this Friday nights run.

“When she won at Pinjarra last time in, in 1:54:9, just outside the track record.”

Preparations have already begun ahead of Friday night’s meeting, with McDonald surprisingly superstitious, he will not shave on race day, so today is the day for his pampering ahead of the big night.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA