The country’s best jockey, James McDonald, will be sweating on gaining a Melbourne Cup ride this week.

J-Mac’s only hope is if Chris Waller decides to back-up star mare Via Sistina in the Cup after her scintillating Cox Plate victory.

James McDonald pilots Via Sistina to Saturday’s Cox Plate victory.Credit: Getty Images

She rocketed into favouritism after the win and looks every bit the chance to stay the 3200 metres with 56 kilograms, despite being by Fastnet Rock (out of a Galileo mare).

Waller said he would make a decision in coming days, but it is hard to believe he won’t follow his 2021 blueprint – Verry Elleegant won the Melbourne Cup, carrying 57kg, after running third in the Cox Plate.

There was good news for Jamie Kah, who lost one Melbourne Cup ride on Saturday only to pick up another the day after.

Kah would have been dismayed to learn that her scheduled ride for the first Tuesday in November, the Lloyd Williams-owned Point King, had been pulled out of the staying race because his action had gone amiss.

Jamie Kah has picked up a replacement Melbourne Cup ride.Credit: Eddie Jim

But Kah, who came third in the Cox Plate on Broadsiding, was snapped up by the Maher stable to ride lightweight Okita Sushi, which rocketed into contention after winning the Moonee Valley Gold Cup on Friday night.

Disappointingly, last year’s winning jockey Mark Zahra is all but certain to be sitting on the sidelines because there are not enough suitable horses in the handicap event in his 55kg weight range.

Racing Victoria said it would be looking at rules around the weight scale next year to ensure the best jockeys, who hover around the 55-56kg mark, have more chances to gain a ride.

History can prove an unkind judge. Pride Of Jenni’s 16-length second last in the Cox Plate will go down in the record books........

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