The smile after coming off the track on It's A Dundeel told the story leading into Saturday's Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.

The pre-dawn gallop only gave McDonald added confidence that the four-year-old could possibly end his career on high in Sydney's richest race.

"I came back and everyone knew what I felt before I got off him," McDonald said. "It is the best he has felt his preparation and the best he has worked for me.

"It is probably why I'm a jockey and don't play poker for a living."

It was the start of a very good morning for McDonald, who went to Randwick to get a feel of his Australian Oaks hope Rising Romance and the second favourite for the Sydney Cup in Who Shot Thebarman.

It's A Dundeel, a five-time group 1 winner, has not won a race this autumn, running second in the Chipping Norton Stakes and third in the Ranvet Stakes before being runner-up to Silent Achiever in the BMW at his last start.

Trainer Murray Baker has protected It's A Dundeel's feet this preparation by using heart-shaped bar plates between runs, but It's A Dundeel has kept his race plates since the BMW.

"He felt very comfortable in them and he just feels like a horse that is peaking at the right time," McDonald said. "I came away from there very happy and more confident in him.

"He has never really let me down and I don't think he will on Saturday "

It's A Dundeel drew a crowd to Warwick Farm just after 5am, including majority owner Arrowfield Stud boss John Messara with  a group of owners and the stud's vet.

"I thought I better go out and see what might be his last gallop," Messara said. "It could be his last race and what a way to go out with a battle royale with Carlton House, Silent Achiever and others.

"James just looked so happy when he came back and it only added to our confidence."

Messara, who is also the chairman of Racing NSW, picked up barrier one to give  It's A Dundeel the prized inside draw.

"You have to be happy with that, we are close to the fence and it will alow James to ride as close as he wants," Messara said.

Favourite Carlton House drew gate five, while the Ranvet Stakes and BMW winner Silent Achiever got barrier seven.

"I came here wanting to draw between six and eight and I picked up seven," Silent Achiever's trainer Roger James said. "She has been in winning form and she will get her chance from that gate.

"She has been switched on by the blinkers since we put them on at the start of this preparation and I think she will continue to hold her form."

Once McDonald got to Randwick his morning got even better. Rising Romance ran second in the New Zealand Derby before coming to Sydney where she ran an encouraging fourth in the Vinery Stakes at Rosehill

"I went out on Rising Romance and she worked very strong and got through the conditions," McDonald said.

"I thought Who Shot Thebarman was just as good. He won the Auckland Cup last start over the two miles, and he just feels like a horse that will love the trip.

"It was one of those mornings where you went in hoipeful and came away with a smile. For me Saturday can't come quick enough now."