'This is our Origin': James McDonald heaps praise on NRL legend Billy Slater amid successful Melbourne Cup Carnival

James McDonald is enjoying another incredible Melbourne Cup Carnival, riding winners throughout the week as he looks to break his own record of 10 winners across the four meetings.

But one of the great thrills for the champion jockey has been sharing the stage with NRL legend Billy Slater at the famous Flemington track.

McDonald has ridden seven winners across the opening three days of the carnival and will be hoping to surpass his record at Champions Stakes Day on Saturday with a stack of live chances.

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The 32-year-old will saddle up in all three Group 1 races run on the day, as well as plenty of other potential victors as the Cup Carnival comes to a close.

Speaking to media on Friday morning, McDonald shrugged off his chances of breaking his own Cup week record, pointing out a "frustrating" Oaks Day

"I'm a fair way off it, to be fair," he said.

"I'm three to equal and four to beat it.

"I've got a strong book of rides and if things fall into place, funnier things have happened. I had three seconds yesterday, so that counted against us a little bit.

"It was a bit of a frustrating day until the last couple of races. I've had a few seconds that could have easily gone either way.

"In saying that, I'm looking forward to tomorrow and it will be nice to salute on a couple."

Watch the 2024 TAB Champions Stakes Day LIVE on Nine and 9Now.

McDonald will saddle up on Fangirl, Via Sistina and Sunshine In Paris in the major races, while there's a fair chance his last ride of the day on Pisanello could be in the money.

The potential victories on Saturday afternoon would give McDonald - who was born in New Zealand before relocating to Australia - the chance to chop it up with Slater again.

The superstar duo have spoken plenty of times after races and McDonald explained why Slater's addition to the coverage with Nine has been an astute one.

"It's been awesome from a personal point of view," he said.

"He's a sportsman, one of the best we have ever seen, so he knows what it's all about.

"Basically, this is our Origin as well and he can feel it and you really bounce off him.

"It's obviously an honour and a privilege to talk to him after a race, that's for sure."

McDonald surpassed a major milestone earlier in the spring, winning his 100th race at Group 1 level aboard the in-form Via Sistina in a dominant Cox Plate display.

The beloved rider said his motivation to find continued success comes down to a number of factors - but nothing is more important than the equine athletes.

"I do it because I love it. - I enjoy competing, it's a tough carnival to compete at," he said.

"I do it more for the horses to be the best we can for the connections we are riding for. I'm in a very lucky position, I ride some very fast horses.

"It's nice to be able to salute on them."