Derby win headlines fresh G1 success for J-Mac, Waller

Shayne Hope | October 31, 2026

James McDonald and Chris Waller underlined their status as the nation’s premier jockey-trainer combination with another pair of Group 1 successes on Victoria Derby day at Flemington.

McDonald piloted Stormy Marco to victory in the $3 million feature on Saturday and backed up with Lady Shenandoah claiming the Empire Rose Stakes.

The red-hot pair only narrowly missed out on winning all three Group 1 events on the card, after St Gotthard was beaten a long neck by The Next Episode in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

There was drama in the Derby when Pondalowie fell in the straight and sent jockey Harry Coffey tumbling to the turf.

Coffey was soon on his feet while vets assessed his mount.

Stormy Marco surged clear of second-placed Cold Shower, with filly Quick Finish third, to secure a fourth Derby triumph for Waller and second for McDonald.

The pair previously combined to win Australia’s oldest classic with Riff Rocket in 2023.

Waller also claimed his fourth Empire Rose Stakes, including three with McDonald, when Lady Shenandoah justified her favouritism by beating Concord Connie and Idle Flyer across the line.

“These races are so special to owners, punters and us,” Waller’s racing manager Charlie Duckworth said.

“I know we all bang on about the money and the money’s great in these big prize-money races, but they’re just different.”

A $2.8 million yearling purchase, The Next Episode is now worth about 10 times that amount as a breeding prospect after holding off St Gotthard in the stallion-making Coolmore Stud Stakes.

The Snitzel colt, trained by Ciaron Maher, has now won five of seven career starts.

“When you’ve got a colt with a record like he does, these are the stallion-making races and you’ve got to perform on the big day,” Maher said.

“You want the pressure, that’s what we get up in the morning for. He’s a ripper and he’s only going to get better as he gets older.”

Mark Zahra recovered from his nasty Caulfield Cup fall on Half Yours to pilot The Next Episode to a brilliant victory.

It was Zahra’s third Coolmore Stud Stakes triumph and second in as many years, following his win aboard Tentyris last year.

“They’re very similar similar horses. He’s a real dude now, this horse,” Zahra said.

“He’s so relaxed, but when you want him he just goes ‘bang’. It’s great to be on two magnificent colts within two years.”

Zahra took a week off under doctors’ orders after his Caulfield Cup fall and missed Cox Plate day, but wouldn’t be denied another shot at Flemington glory.

“Any other time of year I’m probably having a holiday in Byron or Ibiza, but this time of year you just can’t do it,” Zahra said.

“I just had to suck it up. It’s been a tough two weeks, but this time of year is what I live for and ride for.

“Great help by the doctors and with a few Nurofen today we’re bang on song.”

Flemington trainer Nick Ryan had two runners withdrawn from Saturday’s meeting after Racing Victoria stewards charged him with alleged possession of a prohibited substance.

Ryan was charged following a stable inspection on Saturday morning by RV’s Compliance Assurance Team, which resulted in the forced scratchings of Anglaise (Wakeful Stakes) and Doubt Time (Coolmore Stud Stakes).

“Mr Ryan was found to have in his possession, in the glove box of his motor vehicle, two syringes of Darbepoetin Alfa which is a prohibited substance under Prohibited List A of the Australian Rules of Racing,” RV stewards reported.

Ryan, a former champion jockey, reserved his plea and the hearing was adjourned until Monday.