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By Mark Brassel

The world's best jockey James McDonald is looking pretty good to claim his sixth Nathan Berry Medal on Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick this Saturday (11th April).

McDonald picked up six points on Day 1 last weekend, courtesy of victories in successive races aboard Campione D'italia (Gr 1-Inglis Sires') and Joliestar (Gr 1-TJ Smith Stakes).

James McDonald celebrates as Campione D'italia wins at Royal Randwick last Saturday. Image by Bradley Photographers

He leads Hong Kong-based Zac Purton by one point after he won on Chidiac (Country Championships Final) and was runner-up on Giga Kick (TJ Smith).

However, Purton is not riding at Randwick on Day 2 giving McDonald an additional buffer.

Both McDonald and Purton sit in advance of Rachel King and Jamie Melham who won the ATC Australian Derby (Green Spaces) and Doncaster Mile (Sheza Alibi) respectively.

McDonald has six rides in the seven Nathan Berry Medal races including the unbeaten $1.40 TAB favourite for the Gr 1-Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Autumn Glow.

His other mounts are Lord Of Biscay ($5.50-Provincial-Midway Championships Final), Ohope Wins ($2.30 favourite-Asahi Super Dry Australian Oaks), Beadman ($13-Arrowfield 3yo Sprint), River Of Stars ($9-Schweppes Sydney Cup) and Lady Shenandoah ($3.50 fav-Moët & Chandon Queen of the Turf Stakes).

King has three mounts in the Nathan Berry Medal races - Rachini ($11-TAB Percy Sykes Stakes), Mountain Queen ($101-Oaks) and Newlook ($9-Sydney Cup) - while Melham will be riding Medicinal ($4.50-Percy Sykes) and Mr Monaco ($5 fav-Sydney Cup).

The Medal is named in honour of the former top jockey who passed away in April 2014 and is awarded to the most successful jockey over the 12 races of The Championships.

The Nathan Berry Medal point score is determined on a 3-2-1 basis across the 10 Group races along with the Finals of the Country and Provincial-Midway Championships.

The winner will be announced at the completion of the final Championships race – the Queen Elizabeth Stakes – on Saturday 11 April.