Tuesday, November 03, 2026
Sports

James McDonald to ride Trustyourinstinct in Melbourne Cup

Rive News Research Desk

Published · 4 min read

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Key takeaways

  • James McDonald will ride Trustyourinstinct in the Melbourne Cup on November 3.
  • Trainer Joseph O'Brien waited until after the Cox Plate before he confirmed the booking.
  • Cox Plate winner William Pike will ride Cignetti in the Victoria Derby.
A jockey on horseback gives a thumbs up at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne
A jockey on horseback at Flemington Racecourse in MelbournePhotograph: Chris PhutullyImage: Wikimedia Commons

James McDonald will ride Trustyourinstinct in the Melbourne Cup. The race runs on Tuesday, November 3, at Flemington. Trainer Joseph O'Brien confirmed the booking on Sunday.

McDonald is one of the top jockeys in Australia. Trustyourinstinct is trained in Ireland by O'Brien. The horse runs over 3200 metres in the Cup.

What happened

O'Brien held off on naming a rider for weeks. He waited until after the Cox Plate on Saturday. Only then did he lock in McDonald for the Cup.

McDonald had been linked to the horse for some time. O'Brien kept his options open until the Cox Plate passed. The wait ended with a clear call on Sunday.

Aeliana shaped the decision in a big way. The mare is trained by Chris Waller. She placed third in the Cox Plate on Saturday.

Aeliana still holds a Melbourne Cup nomination. But she is all but certain not to run in the Cup. The 3200 metre trip is not the plan for her.

O'Brien has five runners in the Cup mix. Trustyourinstinct is one of those five. The other four now have riders too.

Craig Williams committed early to James J Braddock. Dylan Browne McMonagle will ride Defiantly. Ryan Moore will ride Sons And Lovers.

Wayne Lordan will ride Goodie Two Shoes. She finished second in last year's Cup. That run makes her a horse to watch again.

Why it matters

McDonald is a champion jockey with a huge record. A top rider can make a real difference in a big field.

The Cup always draws a large field. Every rider must find a clear path late in the race.

O'Brien knows how to win this race. He won it with Rekindling in 2017. He won it again with Twilight Payment in 2020.

Trustyourinstinct brings strong form into the race. The seven-year-old gelding has nine wins from 25 starts. Those numbers come from Racelab's ratings guide.

He won the Curragh Cup over a long trip this year. He then finished fourth in the Irish St Leger. That run was a Group 1 race against top horses.

Racelab calls him a serious contender for the Cup. The guide notes his sharp finishing burst. It also notes his proven form over long trips.

The Cup is a true test of stamina. Horses must stay strong for the full 3200 metres. A rider like McDonald knows how to judge that trip.

Race day at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne
Race day scenes at Flemington Racecourse in MelbournePhotograph: Chris PhutullyImage: Wikimedia Commons

The Pike story

William Pike is the other big name in this news. He won the Cox Plate last Saturday. He rode Cosmic Crusader to win the 2040 metre race.

Pike is known as the Wizard of the West. He has now picked up a Derby ride too. He will ride Cignetti in the Victoria Derby on Saturday.

The Derby runs over 2500 metres at Flemington. Cignetti is trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. The horse is listed as a $15 chance.

Pike also has a Cup ride of his own. He will ride Zakouma in the Cup on November 3. Zakouma is trained by Grahame Begg.

Zakouma is listed as a $34 chance. That makes Pike a man to follow across both days. He could shape both the Derby and the Cup.

What happens next

The Cup field is still taking shape. Fifty-eight horses remained in the mix after second declarations. That count came out on October 13.

Third acceptances close at 10am on Monday, October 26. That step will trim the list further. Only then will the final field come into view.

O'Brien had nine horses left at the second declaration stage. Five of them are now his Cup team. Their riders are all set.

McDonald now has a clear target. He will build his week around one horse. Trustyourinstinct will be his Cup mount.

A jockey booking locks in the rider for race day. The trainer picks the rider who fits the horse best.

The rider then learns the horse in track work. That work shapes the race plan for Cup day.

Fans will watch the final field with keen eyes. The barrier draw will matter a lot. A kind draw can help a stayer settle early.

For now, the main news is simple. McDonald rides Trustyourinstinct on November 3. O'Brien has made his call, and the Cup picture is clearer.

More sport this weekend

Melbourne also hosted a 1-1 Melbourne Derby draw this weekend. Auckland FC beat Melbourne City 3-1 in A-League football. In cricket, Pakistan and England met in Lahore.

TaggedMelbourne CupJames McDonaldTrustyourinstinctFlemington

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