Two-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey Darren Beadman has named James McDonald as Australia's best current jockey ahead of this weekend's Cox Plate.
The New Zealand-born McDonald has won 38 Group 1 races in his career, which included an 18-month suspension for betting.
When quizzed on Macquarie Sports Radio on Thursday, Beadman was pretty quick to fire back who he feels is the best rider in the business today.
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“J-Mac," he said with little hesitation.
"You’ve got Nash (Rawiller) who pulls out all stops, you can make a case for every one of them.
"But I am a James Mac fan, he wins more tight finishes than he loses and when he is on-song he is the gun."
McDonald will ride Very Elleegant in the Cox Plate, and is one of Australia's most consistent and favoured jockeys.
Beadman - who now works as part of the Godolphin team in Sydney - has been around the racing industry for most his life.
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And right now, it is clear he is enjoying the Sydney racing scene after in the introductions of The Everest and Golden Eagle in recent years.
“Sydney has really become a golden racing carnival," he said.
"It certainly makes them chase a bit harder and work a bit harder – the jockeys are very hungry and it is keeping a lot of the better ones out of the Melbourne carnival due to the prizemoney we have got.
“The format of it has worked in the past three years. What we have got with the lead-up races and the Golden Eagle on the back-end gives an opportunity for owners to invest and race their horses at a high level.
"There were 10 Group 1 winners in the race last weekend - and one of the ones who hasn't got one in Classique Legend was the most unlucky."
Beadman was also keen to talk up classy Godolphin runner Avilius for Saturday's Cox Plate, who is currently rated an $11 chance with BetEasy.
“He might come into 6 which is a perfect gate for him," he said.
"You really need a tough, seasoned mile and a half horse to win a Cox Plate and he fits that. His win in the George Main Stakes he showed his class."
