Prepared by Sir Michael Stoute, Expert Eye won the Group II Vintage Stakes at
Goodwood last season, but had been disappointing since.Ridden quietly in the early stages by McDonald, Expert Eye recaptured his true form to power clear and win by more than four lengths in a dominant display at odds of 8-1.
"He felt like a rocket ship out there," McDonald said at the post-race media conference. "He settled a bit further back than I'd have liked but we passed the three furlong marker and he felt oh so good.
"Credit to Sir Michael, he's a true legend!
"I can't put it into words how much this means. This is what it is all about. I never thought 18 months ago that I would be at Royal Ascot. It is an absolute pleasure and I have a lot of people to thank for that."
In December 2016, McDonald hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons when stewards disqualified him for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to having a $1000 interest in a bet on Godolphin colt Astern.
The error of judgement cost McDonald his contract as Godolphin's number one Australian jockey, returning to race riding in May this year and winning at his first ride back.
He is booked to ride Equilateral in Saturday's Group I Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot for trainer Charlie Hills.
With three wins and a second from six starts, Expert Eye is from winning Dansili mare Exemplify, a half-sister to Group I winner Special Duty from the family of Group I winners Sightseek and Tates Creek.
