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By Ray Hickson

James McDonald has no trouble naming Fangirl as one of his favourites.

James McDonald and Fangirl (Pic: Steve Hart)

And why not. Whether it’s the cerise silks, the attractive name, the fact she’s a superstar of the track or a combination she’s always found favour with the racing crowd.

McDonald, who has ridden some of the best horses in world, says he loves her because she tries hard and he’s confident Chris Waller's star seven-year-old will do that again in Saturday’s Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

“A lot of the great mares I’ve ridden they wear their heart on their sleeve and they give their all,’’ McDonald said.

“There’s not really a bad run they put in and she’s the same. She just tries so hard and when she’s on she’s so much fun to ride.”

If McDonald had one wish when it comes to Fangirl it’d be for her not to be so one-dimensional.

It hasn’t stopped her from winning 12 of her 35 starts and over $10 million in prizemoney and she has a particular affinity with the Randwick mile with four of her biggest wins including her last start victory in the 7 Stakes, where she cut down Lindermann.

“She’d be much better if she could take a position up but that’s her,’’ he said.

“She’s got a lethal turn of foot and that’s her asset, being held up back in the field that’s how she likes it.

“She’s pretty one dimensional, we have to ride her a certain way. She’ll be in the second half of the field, she’s going to need a bit of luck at some point of time but she’s in great form.”

Fangirl, $4 with TAB on Thursday, won the King Charles III two years ago and while she was beaten in the event last year she’s shown McDonald, as recently as in a Thursday morning track gallop, that she’s in the right form to have a big say in the outcome.

The presence of Pride Of Jenni in the race is something that pleases McDonald because it naturally makes for a truly run race.

“She’s a pleasure to ride, she’s in such good form. She just floated around today and pulled up really well so she’s all guns blazing for the King Charles,’’ he said.

“She’s won the main lead up and I think she will be very hard to beat without stating the obvious.”

McDonald said the ride on second favourite Joliestar in the TAB Everest is the ride he wanted and he won’t hear of her doing anything else but running a huge race.

The five-year-old is the only horse out of last year’s Group 1 $20 million TAB Everest (1200m) to return and he says lessons learned in the past 12 months make her an even more formidable opponent for Ka Ying Rising.

“She’s executing so well now, this time last year she could throw a bunny hop at the start and get on the back foot and you just can’t do that against the world’s best sprinters,’’ he said.

“She’s in a great mindframe, she’s bouncing well and she’ll put herself in a really good position.

“She has great sustained speed, she’s got a good turn of foot, she’s got a phenomenal will to win so she’s ready to rock and roll.”

Joliestar, seventh in last year’s Everest, comes into the race fresh after she make something of a statement running past subsequent Premiere Stakes winner Briasa, to win The Shorts (1100m) a month ago.

James McDonald is the only jockey to have beaten Ka Ying Rising in a race, he did it twice on a horse called Wunderbar early last year, and as much respect as he has for that horse he said the Hong Kong champion will know he’s in a race on Saturday.

Fangirl wins the 7 Stakes

“This is a different kettle of fish, this will be the toughest test to date for him and he’s going to know he’s in a horse race with the likes of Jimmysstar, Briasa, Joliestar, Lady Shenandoah coming at him,’’ he said.

“(Joliestar) is a five-year-old mare at the peak of her powers and her preparation has been absolutely faultless. She just feels incredible, she looks incredible, and she’s ready to run the race of her life.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s TAB Everest meeting at Randwick