Superstar jockey James McDonald is poised to move one step closer to an Australian Group One record when he rides Via Sistina in Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes (1,600m) at Flemington.

McDonald said in an interview on New Zealand’s Trackside racing channel earlier this week that a full-time move to Hong Kong “will happen one day”, but not before he chases down Damien Oliver’s Australian record 129 Group One victories.

The regular rider of Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior, McDonald has 98 elite-level wins in Australia.

Via Sistina is a hot favourite to add to McDonald’s tally, with the Irish import coming off a first up triumph in the Group One Winx Stakes (1,400m) at Randwick.

The outstanding mare has recorded two wins and a second since joining the powerful Chris Waller stable.

One of three Flemington features simulcast by the Jockey Club on Saturday, the Makybe Diva Stakes also features the likes of Mr Brightside, Pride Of Jenni, Atishu, Pinstriped and Circle Of Fire, who won the Sydney Cup (3,200m) for Hong Kong-based jockey Andrea Atzeni.

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Mr Brightside bids to claim back-to-back victories in the race and comes off a first-up second to Pinstriped in the Group One Memsie Stakes (1,400m) at Caulfield.

“From a data perspective, that was his best first-up run that he’s ever put in,” Hayes said.

“So he was a little bit stiff to be beaten. We just ran into a fitter horse on the day, who is a very good horse himself. He’ll naturally improve and there will be a lot more improvement to come after Saturday.”

Nine races from Irish Champion Stakes day at Leopardstown will also be offered for betting on Saturday, headlined by Group Ones the Irish Champion Stakes (2,000m) and Matron Stakes (1,600m).

Four Group Ones at The Curragh on Sunday night will also be beamed live into Hong Kong for betting.

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